One element the Mets have to consider during the administration of new owner Steve Cohen is whether or not they should spend their evaluation on players because his wealth allows it.
When it came to George Springer, the answer was no.
The Mets informed Springer’s camp last weekend that they were willing to move to six years for $ 120 million, but no further. At the time, the Mets were virtually unchallenged, as Springer headed toward the $ 150 million six-year pact he made with the Blue Jays on Wednesday.
If the Mets had matched that – adding $ 5 million to their bid annually – they think they had a high chance of landing the star midfielder, helped by the appeal of Springer’s Connecticut roots.
But Mets officials felt that the Blue Jays were willing to expand because up to that point they had been banned from larger items they had chased, including Francisco Lindor, who was obtained by the Mets.
The Mets were also weighing:
1. If Springer were signed, would that prevent them from keeping Michael Conforto too? This coincides with how much even Cohen is willing to spend. Conforto will be a free agent after the 2021 season, just like Lindor. In an ideal result, the Mets would keep both.
But when they do, they also have Robinson Cano’s $ 20 million returning to the bottom line annually for 2022-23. In addition, they will likely have to keep or replace two starters as Steven Matz, Marcus Stroman and Noah Syndergaard will all enter their term. Cohen has said the Mets will issue as a big market team, but “not as drunken sailors.” The Mets wondered: If they have all that on the payroll, would it be wise to let two outfielders earn as much in the long run as would be necessary for Conforto and Springer?
2. If Springer had been willing to take the $ 120 million, the Mets would have figured it out, or hoped for the DH in NL in 2021. But the lack of clarity in that area clouds their midfield pursuit. The addition of a full-time midfielder would take Brandon Nimmo to left field and force the Mets to decide whether Pete Alonso or Dominic Smith would play first base without a DH. The Mets were able to move Smith between left and first and start two of three, including Alonso, Nimmo and Smith. That would provide depth, but not fully utilize their bats.
The Mets are asked by the representatives of the non-Springer center field market how many at-bats will be available if the NL does not go to the DH in 2021.
3. Ever since they got Lindor and Carlos Carrasco, the Mets have been trying to figure out how to divide up the rest of what Cohen will spend this off-season: on another big chunk or by tackling a few areas?
External executives dealing with Jared Porter in his waning days when the GM of Mets said he presented the Mets focused heavily on roster spots 20-30 as they were concerned about the depth for the long season, but also that this could be the best way. (instead of another major payout) to produce more wins.
The Mets want to take on the midfield, even if it’s just to add defense or a right-wing bat to complement Nimmo. They could turn to the defensively excellent Jackie Bradley Jr., even though he’s a lefty hitter. Or they can look for a straight, smaller piece, like Albert Almora Jr. They want to add to the bullpen, preferably a left-handed one who can work late in games. Brad Hand, who led the majors in saves last year, tops their list. They want another stock of starting pitchers, although they would like more starting alternatives with minor league options. The fact that Joey Lucchesi, acquired from the Padres earlier this week, has two minor league options left has made him even more attractive to the Mets, who started this off-season with deep concern about Triple-A alternatives when injuries, poor performance or fatigue hit the spot. big hit competition grid during the 2021 campaign.