Latest Check on 2015 Mets Payroll

We all know how important money is to the Mets — you just know they check the couch cushions in the luxury suites for loose change after every game. So with each move they make this off-season I will look at how it impacts the payroll. I am assuming the Mets payroll, which was around $84 million in 2014, will top out at $90 million next season, if it even gets that high. But that is the optimistic number I am going with.

So here is the possible roster and Mets payroll for 2015:

Bartolo Colon: $11,000,000 (actual)
Jonathon Niese: $7,050,000 (actual)
Dillon Gee: $6,000,000 (est)
Zack Wheeler: $550,000 (est)
Matt Harvey: $550,000 (est)
Jacob deGrom: $550,000 (est)

Bobby Parnell: $4,000,000 (est)
Jenrry Mejia: $1,500,000 (est)
Josh Edgin: $550,000 (est)
Vic Black: $550,000 (est)
Jeurys Familia: $550,000 (est)
Carlos Torres: $550,000 (est)
1 relievers: $550,000 (est)

Travis d’Arnaud: $550,000 (est)
Anthony Recker: $550,000 (est)

Lucas Duda: $4,000,000 (est)
Daniel Murphy: $9,000,000 (est)
Wilmer Flores: $550,000 (est)
David Wright: $20,000,000 (actual)
Eric Campbell: $550,000 (est)
Ruben Tejada: $1,500,000 (est)

Curtis Granderson: $16,000,000 (actual)
Michael Cuddyer: $8,500,000 (actual)
Juan Lagares: $550,000 (est)
Eric Young: $2,000,000 (est)
Matt den Dekker/Kirk Nieuwenhuis: $550,000 (est)

The actual salaries are $62,550,000. The estimated salaries come to $38,150,000 for a grand total of $100,700,000. There is no way the Mets will go into 2015 with a nine-figure payroll.

By the way, I had to give Jenrry Mejia a million dollar raise over my last Mets payroll check because he is now a Super 2 and will be eligible for arbitration.

Non-tendering Ruben Tejada and Eric Young, which are definite possibilities, would save an estimated $3.5 million. Dealing Jonathon Niese or Dillon Gee would get the Mets payroll closer to $90 million.

Of course, getting rid of Bartolo Colon would solve all of the Mets problems. But that is easier said than done.

Trading Daniel Murphy would also save almost all of the cash, but would also leave a gaping hole in the Mets lineup.

Whatever happens, expect the Mets to shed some salary over the next few months.