The graphics in the pamphlet sure looked nice.
But unless general manager Sandy Alderson soon becomes Jed Clampett and strikes oil while hunting, the Mets’ offseason additions won’t include the equivalent of a Beverly Hills mansion, Robinson Cano.
A day after meeting with Cano’s agents over dinner — a powwow initiated by the player’s representatives, including music icon Jay Z — the Mets general manager said nothing has changed regarding his desire to avoid adding a $100 million contract to the team’s payroll, as he indicated last week at the general managers’ meetings.
“That statement still pertains,” Alderson said Tuesday at Citi Field. “On the other hand, we are committed to improving the team and will explore whatever possibilities arise, however remote the eventual outcome.”
Cano will easily obliterate the nine-figure barrier with his next contract, even if he doesn’t come close to landing the $310 million deal over 10 years he seeks from the Yankees.
Alderson and team executives met with Cano’s group on Monday night. The presentation included pamphlets, books and PowerPoint.
“It was a well-prepared presentation, trying to sell us on Cano’s value,” Alderson said. “We certainly have a high regard for Robinson Cano as a player, so in that sense the presentation was a little bit overdone, but it was a very preliminary meeting.”
Alderson said no dollars were discussed during his dinner with Cano’s representatives. And he agreed to the meeting knowing very well Cano’s group likely was trying to use the Mets in leverage with its negotiations with the Yankees.
“We factored that in,” Alderson said. “We felt it would be useful enough for us to meet with Jay Z and Brodie [Van Wagenen], whether it’s a connection with Robinson Cano or some future client they might have.”
Addressing other issues, Alderson said the Mets haven’t had further contact with the free agent with whom they met at last week’s GM meetings — according to sources, shortstop Jhonny Peralta.
Alderson also acknowledged the Mets made an offer to reliever LaTroy Hawkins, who reached agreement with the Rockies on Monday on a one-year deal worth $2.5 million to become the team’s closer. The contract includes a club option for 2015 with a $250,000 buyout.
The Mets are expecting Bobby Parnell to return as closer and have a high regard for Vic Black, Jeurys Familia and Cory Mazzoni, among other young arms, to potentially fill the setup role.
“LaTroy had a great season for us last year, stepped in and did a nice job for us as a closer, but he’s 41 years old,” Alderson said. “We certainly would have liked to have him in the ’pen, but going into the spring, I think, given the vagaries of relief pitching anyway and his age and what we have coming, it wasn’t clear what his role would be, we made an offer consistent with that.”
By Alderson’s math, the Mets had an $87 million payroll in 2013. He expects that number to increase next season.
“It may not have manifested yet, but I think we are more active [in free agency] than we were last year,” Alderson said. “A couple of our best signings last year were players who were available late — Marlon Byrd and LaTroy Hawkins — but I don’t think we are being as cautious as we have been in the past.”