Now the Mets begin the challenge of getting creative with their dollars.
According to Sandy Alderson’s math, the Mets have about $40 million coming off the books this offseason, but the general manager on Monday stopped short of setting a target payroll for 2014.
Alderson said the Mets’ payroll this year — excluding the deferred payments still owed to Jason Bay — was in the $87 million to $88 million range. David Wright and Jon Niese represent the Mets’ only contractual commitments for next year, totaling $25 million.
“The next couple of days, we will begin the process of not just evaluating the team, but projecting what resources we will have and possible target acquisitions,” Alderson said at Citi Field. “Certainly we’ll have more payroll flexibility than we’ve had since I’ve been here.”
With big-ticket free agents Shin-Soo Choo and Jacoby Ellsbury expected to seek contracts of at least $100 million, Alderson was asked if the Mets were in position to go nine figures in their bidding.
“We would be in a position to do it,” Alderson said. “Whether it would be the right player, and would it be prudent to do it even for the right player, and then factor in what’s left to do the kinds of things we want to do.
“But is it out of the question? It’s not out of the question. Will we do it? That’s more of a strategic question than a resource question. At this point it’s not a matter of resources, I don’t believe.”
Alderson indicated the Mets will likely look to add an established starting pitcher to soak up innings, even if Matt Harvey — who has a torn ulnar collateral ligament — is deemed fit to begin the season.
But the GM expects the Mets to be active, whether it’s through free agency or taking on salary through trades.
“It’s great to say we have financial flexibility and then blow it on players’ deals that don’t work out and put yourself right back in the same situation you were before,” Alderson said. “At the same time, at some point you’ve got to go for it.
“Having flexibility is great, but at some point you’ve got to put yourself on the line, and I think what we’re going to try to do is balance the level of our commitments with the desire to continue to maintain some flexibility going forward.”
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In a subsequent WFAN interview, Alderson didn’t rule out the possibility of trying to re-sign Johan Santana to a potential low-risk/high-reward contract. Santana, who missed the entire season after undergoing shoulder surgery, will receive a $5.5 million buyout for the final year of his pact.
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Mets COO Jeff Wilpon indicated he’s happy with Alderson’s performance, but said no discussions have begun about picking up the GM’s option for 2015.