The Mets' recent signing of LF Yoenis Cespedes pushes their '16 payroll over $140M, and GM Sandy Alderson was "insistent" yesterday that financial bounds "will no longer hinder him," according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. That means if the Mets "want to add even more payroll come midseason, they can do so." It also means if they "want to offer contract extensions to one or more of their young starting pitchers, they can do that as well." Such payroll flexibility is "coming at an opportune time for the Mets, whose rotation is about to grow more expensive by the year." The Mets' budget last came in above $140M early in '11, "shortly after Alderson took over." The GM "slashed payroll that calendar year," taking it below $85M at one point in '14. But the budget rose above $100M again last summer, and it has since increased roughly 40%. Alderson: "We don't anticipate going back to those prior (payroll) levels" (MLB.com, 2/3). In N.Y., John Harper writes now that the Mets have "shown a willingness" to go to $140M in payroll with the Cespedes contract, there is "room for at least some optimism in being able to keep their young pitchers around long enough to win championships." Alderson: "We recognize there’s a, quote, window. But we want to have a sustainable operation beyond that. This is not about being all-in for a three-, four-year cycle and then back to bust" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 2/4). THE WALL STREET JOURNAL's Jared Diamond writes the Mets have "turned a corner into a new era of greater expectations and, more important, the responsibility to invest the resources necessary to live up to them" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 2/4).
RAISING THE BAR: On Long Island, David Lennon writes the Cespedes signing "raises the bar for the Mets, who are now dealing with increased expectations both inside the lines and outside their previous financial margins." Not only are fans "counting on them to repeat as NL champs, they now believe the Mets will spend what’s necessary to do so" (NEWSDAY, 2/4). SNY’s Sal Licata noted having financial flexibility from ownership to acquire players if needed is "all you can ask for" as a fan." Licata: "That is trying to win at all costs, something that hasn’t been the case with this franchise for six, seven years. That is now changed, and as a fan you have to love what you’re hearing and seeing from the Mets" ("Loud Mouths,” SNY, 2/3). In N.Y., Tim Rohan writes the "symbolism of Wednesday's event was hard to miss -- from the food to the glitter" to Alderson's joking about the Mets' payroll. Since Alderson came on five years ago, "much of what the Mets have done has appeared to be about the money, which made the Cespedes signing such a big moment" for Alderson and Mets COO Jeff Wilpon. Alderson also "indicated that the Mets could approach the starters' representatives as early as this spring about signing long-term contracts that would extend into the first part of their free-agency years, but he noted that the players might not want to commit to that option." Mets P Matt Harvey is repped by Scott Boras, while Ps Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard are repped by CAA Sports (N.Y. TIMES, 2/4).
CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES: ESPN N.Y.'s Adam Rubin wrote the Mets will honor their '86 team on May 28 "as part of a weekend of festivities marking the 30th anniversary of the organization's last championship." That includes the Mets wearing their '86 uniform "multiple times during the season as an alternate uniform." The Mets also will "have a pair of weekend giveaways as part of a three-day celebration" (ESPNNY.com, 2/3).
