Look For Mets Payroll To Be Less Than 2013 Levels

This is actually kind of funny. No less than five minutes ago, I was reviewing my one question for Sandy Alderson, who will be addressing the media in a press conference scheduled for noon. We’ll have John Delcos there and Sandy is expected to have a Q&A after he announces the new Terry Collins extension.

I just sent John this email:

John, I have just one question…

We keep hearing that the team will be spending this offseason. What does that mean exactly? Have you been given your payroll budget for the 2014 season and will it exceed 2013 levels?

Joe

So with that, I began my morning routine by going to ESPN New York to see what was up and I see this…

Money always seems to be the question with the Mets.

And brace yourself: The payroll likely will go down from its 2013 level of roughly $95 million.

Johan Santana’s $31 million for this season, including a 2014 buyout, comes off the books.

Wait, wait, wait … before you have a coronary:

Mets insiders suggest they have more than adequate flexibility to be aggressive in free agency if they choose. But, they add, it would not be “sane” after getting out from under albatross contracts to reinvest all that money in one offseason and likely get saddled with a new crop of bad contracts down the road.

So there’s my answer?

I wouldn’t be shocked… For six months I’ve been saying that the Mets will spend less than half of the money that is coming off the books.

I’ve been warning anyone who reads MMO, not to buy into the whole “this is the offseason” hoopla that has the rest of the fan base in some sort of euphoria.