LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Pardon the Mets if they aren’t impressed with a particular NL East rival for yesterday’s deal that put $126 million in Jayson Werth’s pocket over the next seven seasons.
“It makes some of our contracts look pretty good,” new Mets GM Sandy Alderson said, mocking the Nationals and perhaps his predecessor, Omar Minaya.
“That’s a long time and a lot of money. I thought they were trying to reduce the deficit in Washington, D.C.”
Not that the Mets targeted Werth — nor will they pursue any other big-ticket items at the Winter Meetings, which begin today.
That means no Carl Crawford, Cliff Lee or anybody who might command a multiyear contract.
Alderson will spend the week with his face pressed up against the front window of Macy’s, trying to save his pennies for next year’s shopping.
“At least at [the high-end] part of the market, we are interested onlookers,” Alderson said.
The GM arrived here yesterday and planned to spend last night meeting with several agents. Chris Young and Jeff Francis are two reclamation-type starting pitchers who appeal to the Mets, but Alderson said his radar extends far and wide.
He also clarified a comment he made last week, when he guaranteed the Mets would return from the Meetings with some new players, even if it meant selecting in the Rule 5 Draft.
“We’ve actually signed two minor-league players, so officially I’m off the hook,” Alderson said. “I was trying to be a little bit humorous, but I don’t think you should expect us to come back with the high-profile trophy [player].”
Alderson reiterated that pitching will be his main focus this week, but the Mets also are searching for another catcher and backup outfielders.
Alderson will begin speaking with teams today about trade possibilities. He would not say if it’s possible Carlos Beltran, who is owed $18.5 million in the final year of his contract, will be traded. Beltran holds a no-trade clause, but has indicated he might be willing to waive it.
The Phillies are still considered the team to beat in the NL East, and the Braves upgraded with the acquisition of Dan Uggla from Florida. But Alderson wasn’t ready to concede that the Nationals are necessarily improved with Werth.
From Alderson’s perspective, the Nationals negated any advantage they might have gained by signing Werth when Adam Dunn signed with the White Sox.
“They lost Adam Dunn and replaced him with Jayson Werth,” Alderson said. “I’m sure they feel they are better today than they were at the end of last season. They may be, but they did lose Adam Dunn, so that somewhat offsets the benefit they will get from Jayson.”