With the signing of Alejandro De Aza to a one year deal worth $5.75 million dollars, here is the latest Opening Day payroll projection for 2016.
Guaranteed Contracts ($63.75 Million)
David Wright – $20.0 Million
Curtis Granderson – $16.0 Million
Asdrubal Cabrera – $8.25 Million
Bartolo Colon – $7.25 Million
Alejandro De Aza – $5.75 Million
Jerry Blevins – $4.0 Million
Juan Lagares – $2.5 Million
Arbitration Projections ($38.0 Million)
Neil Walker – $10.8 Million
Lucas Duda – $6.8 Million
Addison Reed – $5.7 Million
Matt Harvey – $4.7 Million
Jeurys Familia – $3.5 Million
Jenrry Mejia – $2.6 Million
Ruben Tejada – $2.5 Million
Carlos Torres – $800 K
Josh Edgin – $600 K
That amounts to $101.75 million for 15 roster spots, not including Jenrry Mejia who is suspended. If we use the major league minimum of $550 K to fill the other 10 spots, it puts the current payroll at $107.25 million dollars or roughly $4 million more than Opening Day in 2015.
Of course, the Mets are reportedly still in pursuit of a right-handed outfielder/first baseman type for the bench and a setup type reliever for the bullpen. They have been connected to free agent Ryan Raburn.
When the dust settles, 2016 Opening Day payroll could ultimately end up at around $113 Million or thereabouts. That’s $10 million more than last Opening Day.
Next year however, should pose quite a challenge for the Mets. Not only will Matt Harvey, Lucas Duda and Jeurys Familia be in store for huge raises, but Jacob deGrom, Zack Wheeler, Travis d’Arnaud and Wilmer Flores all become eligible for arbitration.
