The New York Mets continue to put payroll constraints on themselves, which means Brodie Van Wagenen’s job becomes tougher.
According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, Brodie Van Wagenen and the New York Mets have limited room to make moves this offseason. Heyman reports that if the Mets intend to bring in major salary, they will likely have to first move some money.
This likely means the Mets don’t want to go over the luxury tax; they are currently $17 million under.
This is important to keep in mind considering the Mets have been connected to a Starling Marte trade. Marte is set to make $11.5 million next season, all of which will count against the luxury tax.
Considering the Mets are operating on a budget, the Mets would likely look to move salary out before making a deal for a player like Marte. Currently, 12 Mets will cost for at least $5 against the luxury tax, but all of them are important pieces or can’t be moved.
The most obvious pieces to move would be Yoenis Cespedes, Jed Lowrie or Robinson Cano. Considering their recent injury histories and age, it’s highly unlikely that anyone would want to take on any of those player’s salaries. Every player that fits that salary range is an important piece to the 2020 puzzle.
It’s hard to see how the Mets will be able to move salary to create room for another move. This means the club will likely target low-cost moves in free agency and through trades.
A player like Harrison Bader, who is still pre-arbitration, would seem to better fit the Mets’ salary restrictions.
The New York Mets’ front office is going to have to be creative in the way they improve the team as they continue to refuse to spend like the large media market team they are. Why they continue to handcuff themselves is still a mystery.
This team could be a World Series contender if only the team was willing to spend the money to make it happen.
