Mets Will Have $10 Million To $15 Million To Spend If Sandy Is Lucky?

According to what a source told ESPNNewYork.com, don’t expect Sandy Alderson to have any more to spend this offseason than he did last offseason.

“They may have $10 million to $15 million max to spend — if Sandy is lucky,” the source said. “The Mets’ internal conversations have been no increase in payroll next year — and may be another reduction, which would be a disaster.”

Last week, the Mets general manager said that a formal budget has not been established yet for next season, but a team source told ESPN that the Mets are likely to have a payroll comparable to the slightly more than $90 million they have committed in 2012.

That is certainly not the kind of news you want to hear especially when you consider all the revenue the Mets are expected to rake in because of the 2013 All Star Game which was awarded to them by Bud Selig.

With so many different areas that need attention and gaping holes in the outfield and bullpen, it’s going to take more than $15 million to do an effective job this offseason.

The Mets have about $15 million in salary commitments coming off the books after this season in players Mike Pelfrey, Jon Rauch, Ramon Ramirez, Ronny Cedeno, Scott Hairston and Tim Byrdak. Plus Bobby Parnell, Daniel Murphy and Andres Torres are arbitration eligible.

That sounds like a tall order to fill, and don’t forget that both David Wright and R.A. Dickey are most likely expecting to sign contract extensions this offseason. Or maybe not?