Keeping the
band could push Mets salaries into a whole new stratosphere.
Team his owner Steve Cohen is keeping spending this season below his third luxury tax threshold of $300 million. But if the Mets want to return unscathed to a team on the cusp of their first postseason appearance in six years, the $291.8 million (according to Spotrac) manpower figure calculated under the competitive balance tax currently in place. It costs a lot more than it costs. According to the Post's analysis, the cost of keeping the team intact this year will keep the Mets at the starting point next season before he can address potential bullpen and depth upgrades. It could push it to $345 million. Either way, the Mets may just be starting to use what it takes to build and keep winners. Breakdown:
Start rotation
Jacob deGrom has indicated multiple times that he plans to opt out after the season. Under the terms of the contract he signed before the 2019 season, he owes $30.5 million for next year. If deGrom and the Mets strike a new deal, it's a safe bet that it will pay Max Scherzer more than the $43.3 million he expects to earn in 2023. He pays him $50 million a year.
Chris His Basit is also looking to turn a profit on the open market (technically his $19 million contract has a reciprocal option next season). There is, but the chances are slim - the handler will do it on its own side). Basit, who turns 34 in spring training, is believed to have signed a multi-year contract worth at least $19 million to keep him in the AAV world.
Taijuan Walker's contract includes his options for next season's player worth $7 million, which he will almost certainly decline and go on the open market. will be Walker, who turns 30 on Saturday, has been a fixture in the Mets' rotation over the past two seasons. A comparison might be John Gray, who landed a contract worth $14 million a year from Texas last offseason.
Carlos Carrasco's contract includes his $14 million option for 2023, which starts in 170 innings, as long as the right-hander finishes the season in good health. is included. Carrasco (124 ¹/3 innings) is on pace to reach that level with about 10 games remaining.
David Peterson and Tyler Megill are backup options in his rotation, and in total he will cost less than $3 million.
Estimated 2023 first rotation salary:$143 million (equivalent to his 14-team full salary this season, according to Spotrac).
Bullpen
Edwin DiazHe would be in a position to command the largest relief contract in baseball history.The record is Liam Hendricks' $18 million AAV with the White Sox. There's no reason to believe that Diaz, a free agent after this season, can't exceed $20 million, and could approach $25 million a year on the open market.
Adam Ottavino was a bargain at $4 million for the Mets this season. Right-handed players who are active on one-year contracts may at least double that number next season. , will likely rise significantly to $8 million. Trevor May,,Mychal Givens,,Joely Rodriguez,, andTrevor Williams, are unlikely to fit next season's template.Joey Lucchesi (arbitrated for $1.5 million) and Drew Smith (arbitrated for $750,000) participate.
Estimated 2023 bullpen salary: $44 million
Infielder
Francisco Lindor will earn $34.1 million next season in second year of Mets-record contract extension} Robinson Cano's major league career was likely over, and he was released by three teams this season.
Pete Alonso and Jeff MacNeil will be eligible to arbitrate for the second year. Both are enjoying good seasons and are on the verge of big raises. It's probably not unreasonable to suggest that Alonso doubles the $7.4 million he's making this season, with his McNeil, who is making $3 million this year, likely to receive in the $8 million range. there is. Eduardo Escobar is due for payment he is $9. 5 million for the following season in the final year of his contract. Luis Guillorme is eligible for arbitration for the first time and could be around $2 million.
Estimated 2023 infielder salaries: $89 million
outfielder
Brandon Nimmo told The Post he was recently informed during the All-Star break that the Mets wanted him over this season. Nemo, who was supposed to be a free agent, hired Scott Boras as his agent last winter. It's easy to imagine a long-term contract with an outfielder averaging at least $20 million a year for him.
Sterling Marte's contract calls for a $5 million increase, making him $20.7 million next year. The veteran outfielder signed his four-year contract worth $78 million last offseason.
Mark Cana owes him $11.6 million for next season, the final year of his contract.
Estimated 2023 outfielder salaries: $52 million
Catcher
James McCann's contract includes a $4 million raise, bringing his salary to $12 million. increase. Even if the Mets traded the veteran, they would pay most of the $24 million he still owes through 2024. Francisco Alvarez will only pay the Mets the minimum for a rookie next season: $720,000.
Estimated catcher salary for 2023 : $15 million
DH
Daniel Vogelbach is subject to arbitration for the first time and may land in the $2 million range. Dominic Smith and Darrin Ruff probably won't fit over the season. rental.
Estimated DH salary in 2023: $2 million