First Check of 2023 Mets Payroll

I used to look at the Mets payroll out of necessity — now it’s just fun. Now seems like a perfect time after the nighttime spending spree that brought back Brandon Nimmo and brought in David Robertson.

Max Scherzer: $43,333,333 (actual)
Justin Verlander: $43,333,333 (actual)
Jose Quintana: $13,000,000 (actual)
Carlos Carrasco: $14,000,000 (actual)
David Peterson: $750,000 (estimate)
Joey Lucchesi: $1,500,000 (est)
Tylor Megill: $750,000 (est)

Edwin Diaz: $21,250,000 (actual)
Drew Smith: $1,000,000 (est)
Brooks Raley: $4,500,000 (actual)
John Curtis: $775,000 (actual)
David Robertson: $10,000,000 (actual)

James McCann: $12,150,000 (actual)
Tomas Nido: $2,000,000 (est)

Pete Alonso: $15,000,000 (est)
Jeff McNeil: $8,000,000 (est)
Francisco Lindor: $32,477,277 (actual)
Luis Guillorme: $2,000,000 (est)
Robinson Cano: $20,050,000 (actual)
Eduardo Escobar: $9,500,000 (actual)
Daniel Vogelbach: $1,500,000 (actual)

Mark Canha: $11,500,000 (actual)
Starling Marte: $20,750,000 (actual)
Darin Ruf: $3,000,000 (actual)
Brandon Nimmo: $20,000,000 (actual)

So the Mets have $281,118,943 in actual obligations, and when you add an estimated $31 million for arbitration and minimum salary guys, you get a grand total of $311,118,943. That is a lot of money. And the Mets may not be done — they are still looking at adding another starter and possibly another bullpen arm. I’m also hoping for a big bat at DH.

The Mets may need to shed some salary just to keep things from getting out of control (as if it isn’t already!). James McCann is an obvious candidate, as is Carlos Carrasco if they can further upgrade the rotation.

Who ever thought we would see numbers like this just a few short years ago?!