The New York Mets have spent the most money in MLB since free agency started.
They signed Edwin Diaz, Justin Verlander, David Robertson, Kodai Senga, and Brandon Nimmo, all to multi-year deals.
Their payroll is already over $300 million.
Some people criticize them for trying to buy a championship, but most of the baseball universe thinks the fact they aren’t afraid to spend is refreshing and good for baseball.
What if we told you that they aren’t spending recklessly or irresponsibly?
Ryan Finkelstein, the host of Locked on Mets, explains.
“Combined salaries in 2023: Chris Bassitt and Taijuan Walker: $39 million. Kodai Senga and Jose Quintana: $28 million. The Mets aren’t just spending crazy to outspend everyone with no plan, they are just buying more good deals than anyone else,” he tweeted, and he is right.
Combined salaries in 2023:
Chris Bassitt and Taijuan Walker: $39 million.
Kodai Senga and Jose Quintana: $28 million.
The Mets aren’t just spending crazy to outspend everyone with no plan, they are just buying more good deals than anyone else.
— Ryan Finkelstein (@FinkelsteinRyan) December 12, 2022
The Mets Know What They Are Doing
The Diaz and Nimmo deals were more or less market value: both were highly sought-after stars, among the best at their position, and the Mets weren’t about to let them go.
Verlander may be 39, but he won the Cy Young award in his last two healthy seasons, 2019 and 2022: he is as solid as they get when it comes to short-term investments, and you could easily argue that the franchise prefers two years of Verlander than five of Jacob deGrom even if the average annual value of the former is a bit higher.
Bassitt and Walker were both good, but the Mets get some nice floor with Quintana and a high ceiling with Senga at a lower price.
They know what they are doing: they may have a lot of money, but are using it wisely to retain their own stars and replace those who left.
NEXT: Video Shows The Dominance Of New Mets Star Kodai Senga