Mets Payroll with Flores, Blevins, Salas

Now that Jerry Blevins and Fernando Salas are back in the fold, and Wilmer Flores’ arbitration hearing has been resolved in his favor, let’s take a look at where the Mets payroll stands. Unless Jay Bruce is traded, this is roughly where the Mets will open the season.

Matt Harvey: $5,125,000 (actual)
Jacob deGrom: $4,050,000 (actual)
Zack Wheeler: $800,000 (actual)
Noah Syndergaard: $600,000 (est)
Steven Matz: $600,000 (est)

Addison Reed: $7,750,000 (actual)
Jeurys Familia: $7,425,000 (actual)
Jerry Blevins: $6,000,000 (actual)
Fernando Salas: $3,000,000 (actual)
Josh Edgin: $675,000 (est)
Robert Gsellman: $600,000 (est)
Seth Lugo: $600,000 (est)

Travis d’Arnaud: $1,875,000 (actual)
Rene Rivera: $1,750,000 (actual)

David Wright: $20,000,000 (actual)
Asdrubal Cabrera: $8,250,000 (actual)
Neil Walker: $17,200,000 (actual)
Lucas Duda: $7,250,000 (actual)
Wilmer Flores: $2,200,000 (actual)
Jose Reyes: $600,000 (est)

Yoenis Cespedes: $22,500,000 (actual)
Curtis Granderson: $15,000,000 (actual)
Juan Lagares: $4,500,000 (actual)
Jay Bruce: $13,000,000 (actual)
Michael Conforto: $600,000 (est)

The Mets are on the hook for $148,350,000 in actual salaries. And six players will earn around the major league minimum, which I have at $600,000. That is a grand total Mets payroll of $151,950,000. That would be their highest Opening Day payroll ever, eclipsing the nearly $150 million in 2009.

This cannot make the Wilpons comfortable. It was thought they wanted to be closer to $140 million. Do you think they might be a bit peeved at Sandy Alderson for his failure to trade Bruce and/or offering Neil Walker the $17.2 million qualifying offer, which he smartly accepted?

A payroll at this level could hamper Alderson from making mid-season trades to address any deficiencies or injuries that could occur. But hey, if this gets the Mets to the promised land, the Wilpons will be the happiest owners on Earth. Just make sure they don’t let Vladimir Putin try on that World Series ring!