Jeff Wilpon Sticks Foot in Mouth
A shocking headline, I know. But Jeff Wilpon is once again proving why virtually every Mets fan holds him in less than high esteem.
During a luncheon with Mets beat writers on Thursday, the younger Wilpon was asked why the Mets are not making a play for either Bryce Harper or Manny Machado. His response?
“I don’t know how many teams have two $30 million players.”
First of all, the Mets do not even have one $30 million player. Yoenis Cespedes will be paid $29 million this season (nitpicky, I know). But the Mets won’t even be paying that; insurance will cover a good chunk.
And guess what, as the Post points out, the Mets’ main competitor, the Nationals, do indeed have two $30 million players. Max Scherzer will be paid $37 million this season on a seven-year deal that averages $30 million per year. And Stephen Strasburg will make a stunning $38 million this year, although his seven-year contract averages out to $25 million per season. And they could add a third if Harper returns.
Why can’t Jeff Wilpon just admit the Mets do not have the money? Or if they do, that they are too timid to spend it. I thought the lying was over when Sandy Alderson left. Now I see where it comes from.
Please don’t use Nats as an example unless you know what you’re talking about.
The Nats can’t afford the players they sign. currently have 193 mil of deferred contracts on five players and can’t even afford to offer interest. Couldn’t even afford Dozier’s 9 mil without deferring 2 mil. Nor Annibel Sanchez’s 2 years and Corbin’s long term deal without deferring.
And this is before even signing Harper or Extending Rendon.
They’ll probably have 400 mil deferred if they sign both.
Mets are spending within their means after 17 mil of profit in 2018, just 3 mil more than the Yankees. The Nationals are irresponsible, with just 11 mil of profit separating them from operating in the red.
I agree with LingTimeFan. Look at this depressed market and the price you can get very good players at this off season. Why pay 30 million when you can restock with less. I don’t want them hamstrung. They still have to sign DeGrom to an extension too. I would prefer they had signed another top reliever and rotation insurance.