NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 09: Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets celebrates after beating the … [+]
The New York Mets refuse to let player payroll stand in their way of reaching the World Series.
Not only did the Mets sign All Star, All World outfielder Juan Soto away from rival New York Yankees, they continued to spend on improving their roster.
The Mets gave Soto a 15-year, $765 million contract.
The Mets, and owner Steve Cohen have spent a total of $917.25 million on guaranteed, free agent contracts this offseason.
To date, they have not signed first baseman Pete Alonso.
MLBtraderumors.com has listed the Mets spending this offseason as follows:
OF Juan Soto-15 years-$765 million
LHP Sean Manaea-3 years-$75 million (with $23-25 million deferred)
RHP Clay Holmes-3 years-$38 million
RHP Frankie Montas-2 years-$34 million
RHP Griffin Canning-i year-$4.25 million
INF Jared Young-1 year split contract ($425,000 in minors)
RHP-Dylan Covey-1 year split contract ($350,000 in minors)
RHP-Justin Hagenman-1 year split contract ($225,000 in minors)
Spending money on player payroll does not guarantee success.
In fact, Mr. Cohen has been fielding teams with high payrolls since he took ownership of the Mets in September 2014.
Flushing, N.,Y.: The New York Mets newest player Juan Soto (#22) poses at Citi Field in Flushing, … [+]
Mets Playoff History:
Since the year 2000, here are the Mets playoff appearances and results:
2000- Lost the World Series in seven games to the New York Yankees
2005- Lost the National League Championship Series to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games.
2015- Lost the World Series in five games to the Kansas City Royals
2016- Lost a National League Wild Card Game to the San Francisco Giants
2022- Lost a National League Wild Card Series, 2-1, to the San Diego Padres
2024- Lost the National League Championship Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games.
Soto won’t guarantee a World Series victory, but he may inject enough firepower to help the Mets achieve the next step. Indeed, they could be playing in the 2025 World Series.
However, getting to that level is extremely difficult. Everything has to fall in place. It takes superb player performance, good team health, and lots of luck.
CHINA – 2023/07/27: In this photo illustration, a $100 bill is seen. (Photo Illustration by … [+]
sportrac.com lists the Mets with a current Tax Payroll of $252,081,449. They are estimated to have an opening day Active payroll of $230,264,783.
The Dodgers have the highest current Tax Payroll, at $334,499,247.
The Yankees, and the Philadelphia Phillies have higher current Tax Payrolls than the Mets.
That said, do the Mets still have holes to fill? That’s in the eye of the beholder.
In the current Mets landscape, slugging first baseman Pete Alonso remains a free agent.
In his six-year career with the Mets, Alonso hit 226 home runs, and drove in 586 runs.
If they don’t sign Alonso, how do the Mets make up for the 34 homers, and 88 runs Alonso drove in last year?
Certainly, the Mets hope the answer is by adding Soto.
Signing Alonso, still a dangerous hitter at the age of 30, would help take pressure off Soto, and the rest of the Mets lineup.
The Mets may currently be looking at promising power hitter Mark Vientos to play first base, with Brett Baty playing third.
Might a combination of Soto, Vientos, and Alonso be a better trio to support the superb ability of leadoff hitter, shortstop Francisco Lindor?
The Mets feel catcher Francisco Alvarez, 23, has just tapped his ultimate potential.
The Mets also have notable offensive players in Brandon Nimmo, and Starling Marte to help Soto generate offense.
Still, to this old scout, adding Alonso to the mix would really help score runs.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 30: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Clay Holmes #35 of the New York Yankees in … [+]
Mets Pitching:
fangraphs.com lists the potential Mets six-man starting rotation this way:
Sean Manaea-LHP
Kodai Senga-RHP
Frankie Montas-RHP
David Peterson-LHP
Clay Holmes-RHP (converting from the bullpen)
Paul Blackburn-RHP
This scout does not have the same faith in pitchers such as Manaea, Canning, and Montas as the Mets front office and ownership.
But the Mets are all in.
The Mets have spent $917.25 million on free agents to help get them to the World Series.
They may not be done spending.
Perhaps they do eventually sign Alonso. Or someone else.
Will it work?
Time will tell.
