One thing the Mets need to weigh during the administration of new owner Steve Cohen is whether they should devote their evaluation to players because his wealth allows it.
As for George Springer, the answer was no.
The Mets let Springer’s camp know this past weekend that they are willing to go $ 120 million after six years, but no further. At the time, the Mets were pretty much out of contention as Springer was on track for the $ 150 million six-year deal he reached with the Blue Jays on Wednesday.
If the Mets agree – adding $ 5 million annually to their bid – they believe they have a strong chance of landing the star midfielder, aided by the attraction of proximity to Springer’s Connecticut roots.
But Mets officials felt the Blue Jays were willing to expand because up to that point they had been excluded from larger items they pursued, including Francisco Lindor, which was acquired by the Mets.
The Mets also weighed throughout:
1. If Springer were signed, would that prevent them from retaining Michael Conforto as well? This falls in the range of how much even Cohen is willing to spend. Conforto, like Lindor, will be a free agent after the 2021 season. In an ideal outcome, the Mets would retain both.
But if they do, they also have $ 20 million from Robinson Cano returning annually to 2021-23. In addition, they will likely need to retain or replace two beginners, as Steven Matz, Marcus Stroman and Noah Syndergaard are all going through their running years. Cohen said the Mets would spend like a big market team, but “not like drunk sailors.” The Mets wondered, if it was all on the payroll, would it be wise to make two foreigners as long-term as it would require for Conforto and Springer?
2. If Springer were willing to take the $ 120 million, the Mets would have figured it out or hoped for the DH in 2021. But the lack of clarity in the area clouded their pursuit of midfield. The addition of a full-time center-back would move Brandon Nimmo to the left and force the Mets to decide whether Pete Alonso or Dominic Smith would play first base without DH. The Mets can move Smith between left and first and start two of three under Alonso, Nimmo and Smith. It gives depth but does not use their bats to the fullest.
The Mets are being asked by representatives of the field market non-Springer Center how many bats are available if the NL does not go to the DH in 2021.
3. Since acquiring Lindor and Carlos Carrasco, the Mets have been trying to figure out how to erase the rest of what Cohen is going to spend this off-season: on one more piece or by addressing a few areas?
Outside managers who treated Jared Porter in his languishing days as the Mets GM said he pretends the Mets are concentrating heavily on roster spots 20-30 because they are concerned about depth for the long season, but also that it may be the best way . (rather than another big expense) to get more wins.
The Mets want to address the midfield, even if it’s just to add defense or a real bat to complement Nimmo. They could turn to defensive Jackie Bradley Jr., even though he’s a left – wing victim. Or they can look for a smaller piece on the right, like Albert Almora Jr. They want to add to the bullpen, preferably a lefty that can work late in games. Brad Hand, who led the majors in savings last year, is at the top of their list. They want a further stock of starting pitchers, but would like more alternatives that have small league options. The fact that Joey Lucchesi, who was acquired from the Padres earlier this week, has two small league options left made him even more attractive to the Mets, who started this season with big concerns about Triple-A alternatives as injury, weak performance or fatigue hits the biggest. league list during the 2021 campaign.