MLB

Wilpon warns of Mets’ payroll purge

CHICAGO — Start clipping those coupons.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson has hinted since taking the job last off-season that his team’s $142 million payroll could decrease significantly in 2012, but principal owner Fred Wilpon now seems to have a dollar figure in mind.

In a Sports Illustrated interview, Wilpon says the Mets’ payroll could drop 30 percent — to about $100 million — next year.

METS BOX SCORE

“That’s fair,” Wilpon told the magazine. “If you invest your $100 million properly, as most clubs that are competitive are in that range … we have to see what Sandy wants to do, and Sandy wants flexibility. And I’m trying to give him the ultimate amount of flexibility. He’s going to have to make those decisions.”

After the Mets’ 11-1 loss to the Cubs last night, Alderson downplayed Wilpon’s comments, saying he was unaware the owner had been interviewed by a magazine other than the New Yorker, which published controversial comments by Wilpon about the team.

“I haven’t read Sports Illustrated, Mechanics Illustrated, Men’s Health — I don’t know what stories may be out there,” Alderson said. “Until I’ve read those stories I can’t comment.

“I wouldn’t overreact to what might be contained in the Sports Illustrated article. I want to focus on getting past the New Yorker article first.”

Wilpon told Sports Illustrated the Mets could lose $70 million this year.

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Johan Santana has begun throwing off the mound in Port St. Lucie, according to Alderson. The lefty threw 25 pitches from the rubber on Monday, but there is still no timetable for Santana to begin a minor-league rehab assignment. The Mets are still hopeful they will have Santana back by the All-Star break.

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Angel Pagan played a rehab game yesterday for Single-A St. Lucie and remains on track for a Friday return to the Mets. He has missed a month with a strained oblique.

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David Wright was examined in Los Angeles by back specialist Dr. Robert Watkins, and was expected to return to New York. Wright, who has a stress fracture in his back, has not begun baseball activities. Alderson said Wright will rest at least two or three more days.

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The Cubs placed right-hander Matt Garza (2-4, 3.72 ERA) on the 15-day disabled list with elbow stiffness and promoted outfielder Luis Montanez from Triple-A Iowa.

With AP