Jeff Wilpon: Payroll to increase in 2014

[Paulie6986]

The only reason I feel somewhat comfortable was because I listened to the in-depth interview of David Wright on XM three times to make certain I heard correctly about a positive, impacting game plan.

But, many people forget that employees get bs'd by employers all the time. The baseball industry is no different.

When I see this game plan in full swing moving in the right direction I will believe, until then call me a skeptical fan.

The romanticism of baseball died along time ago. Loyalty is a fleeting moment these days from owner to fan/owner to ballplayer......

[fanofclendennon]

The only reason I feel somewhat comfortable was because I listened to the in-depth interview of David Wright on XM three times to make certain I heard correctly about a positive, impacting game plan.

But, many people forget that employees get bs'd by employers all the time. The baseball industry is no different.

When I see this game plan in full swing moving in the right direction I will believe, until then call me a skeptical fan.

The romanticism of baseball died along time ago. Loyalty is a fleeting moment these days from owner to fan/owner to ballplayer......

With $138 million under his belt, the richest contract in team history, of course Wright is going to say the right things.

Your instinct is correct. Believe in nothing until you see it, and even then, question your eyes.

[Dugmet]

If we're willing to pony up money in 14 why not enter the Hamilton fray? 4 or 5 year deals for one of the elite hitters in all of baseball? Sounds like a bargain to me.

Yes, no matter what we do this off-season we aren't real contenders with dead money to Bay and so much tied up to a mid-rotation starter in Santana, but no one available in the next FA class will have the impact in 2014 like Hamilton.

The only talent in that FA class is in starting pitching which we don't need.

Robinson Cano might be available. In David's conversations with Alderson, Wright remarked to Francesa that the 2015 class was strong -- so he and Alderson apparently were evaluating the potential FAs together down the road.

But, many people forget that employees get bs'd by employers all the time. The baseball industry is no different.:

It isn't, true, but that doesn't mean that everyone is BSing everyone.

Wright told Francesa he had sit downs with both SA and Jeff Wilpon. He stated he asked both a lot of hard questions about finances , the state of the farm system, and their future plans. He also told Francesa that as the son of a former Police Chief, he felt capable of spotting BS when he heard it. In his opinion, SA and JW were forthright with him.

[rogue5]

Before I saw Reyes's deal with the Marlins last year, I would have said there's no way the Mets could backload a contract enough to fit Hamilton into this year's budget. Now I have to say it could probably be done, but it means the Mets would be on the hook for at least $25 million a year for 3 or 4 years down the road. With Hamilton's history of personal problems, do you want to risk a contract like that?

What I am wondering is if it is legal or ethical to write a "behavior" or "morals" clause into the contract. If we make the deal worthwhile for him, i.e. more money than a few other teams are offering with NY perks, then would he be willing to give the Mets an out based on poor behavior? Say, a certain number of arrests or positive drug/alcohol screens.

[Dugmet]

What I am wondering is if it is legal or ethical to write a "behavior" or "morals" clause into the contract. If we make the deal worthwhile for him, i.e. more money than a few other teams are offering with NY perks, then would he be willing to give the Mets an out based on poor behavior? Say, a certain number of arrests or positive drug/alcohol screens.

Behavior clauses are written into all MLB contacts as negotiated and agreed in the Basic Agreement with the MLB Players Association. The clauses address activities such as skiing and motorcycle racing (cough, Jeff Kent), the use of illicit substances, as well as general behavior.

However, teams rarely enforce them, and if they try the MLBPA will quickly file a grievance. I can only think of two cases, Sidney Ponson who was in and out of trouble including punching a judge on a beach in Aruba I think, and Shawn Chacon, who struck Astros GM, Ed Wade, a few years back.

[Marty Mcfly]

Sure the payroll will be up above $100M, it doesn't mean it's there to spend. I heard this on WFAN update, since I do not listen to Fatcesa. Jeff also mentions that Sandy will have "flexibility" for THIS off-season. Do not believe this, do not make too much of it. Jeff does this EVERY year.

The annual 'flexibility' nonsense designed to pacify fans who are pissed off the team has done nothing in the off-season get thrown the 'flexibility' bone and most of them chomp down hard on it - every year.

When the deadline rolls around the spend nothing, this happens every single year, and the same fools bite.

[milominderbinde]

I heard the Francessa interview with DW and it sounded like DW is a true believer. While Sandy could sell sand in the desert I wonder whether Jeffy is smart enough to bull **** David. I suspect that he isn't so the follow up question is whether Jeffy believes his own spin.

[Sick Of It All]

Wright also said he never really wanted to live the Mets and that was a huge reason why he wanted to stay and play for just one team. He mention guys like Ripken, Jones and Jeter.

..but he also mention pitching not only at the major league level, but in the minors and we all know that the Mets are stacked with pitching right now and we all know that pitching wins and it will be the reason why the Mets eventually will become contenders again.

[YoungStuna28]

I felt very confident as a met fan after hearing Wright, Sandy, Jeff, and co I think they will put their best efforts in putting out a winning product in the coming years. I guess that's just the optimist in me.

[Marty Mcfly]

Wright also said he never really wanted to live the Mets and that was a huge reason why he wanted to stay and play for just one team. He mention guys like Ripken, Jones and Jeter.

..but he also mention pitching not only at the major league level, but in the minors and we all know that the Mets are stacked with pitching right now and we all know that pitching wins and it will be the reason why the Mets eventually will become contenders again.

Exactly, you cannot buy that, being the teams true franchise player (forget that arrogant *** Seaver) will be worth its weight in gold to him down the line.

[Sick Of It All]

Yeah specially if he like those three guys does enough to become a hall of fame player.

[Coupon]

Robinson Cano might be available. In David's conversations with Alderson, Wright remarked to Francesa that the 2015 class was strong -- so he and Alderson apparently were evaluating the potential FAs together down the road.

Sure they're talking about 2015. Their Willets Point project opens in 2016. So the Wilpons will wait until a little before then to spend. Why bother trying to put together a winning team until then?

Citi Field got the absolute go-ahead to open in 2004/5. They only started really spending in 2005.

They only spend in conjunction with launch of projects where they need to generate interest in the team. Otherwise they couldn't care less about winning.

They could spend now, but prefer the put the money in their pockets. Do you think Wright and Bay's deferred money, around $20 million, will go into payroll this year or their pockets?

They might well begin spending a little in 2014, though.

Anyway, there's the timetable they seem to have given Wright. If the courts delay or stop the project, however, chances are good the Wilpons will change the plan, not spend, dump their backloaded contracts and Wright is screwed.

This is a pretty radical prediction. I'm actually expecting them to spend and I think they're the cheapest bastards in the world. Few others have confidence they'll spend, but I believe they will. When it happens just remember they're still essentially cheap and they'll be doing it for the most cynical reasons possible. They still won't care about winning. Because this is a good three years down the road I will say major events in court or the world could change things, but this is what I believe the plan is now.

Either way, get ready for another two seasons of garbage.

[YoungStuna28]

When is the Wilets Point project going to be completed? I can't wait.

[metsbulls1025]

Sure they're talking about 2015. Their Willets Point project opens in 2016. So the Wilpons will wait until a little before then to spend. Why bother trying to put together a winning team until then?

Citi Field got the absolute go-ahead to open in 2004/5. They only started really spending in 2005.

They only spend in conjunction with launch of projects where they need to generate interest in the team. Otherwise they couldn't care less about winning.

They could spend now, but prefer the put the money in their pockets. Do you think Wright and Bay's deferred money, around $20 million, will go into payroll this year or their pockets?

They might well begin spending a little in 2014, though.

Anyway, there's the timetable they seem to have given Wright. If the courts delay or stop the project, however, chances are good the Wilpons will change the plan, not spend, dump their backloaded contracts and Wright is screwed.

This is a pretty radical prediction. I'm actually expecting them to spend and I think they're the cheapest bastards in the world. Few others have confidence they'll spend, but I believe they will. When it happens just remember they're still essentially cheap and they'll be doing it for the most cynical reasons possible. They still won't care about winning. Because this is a good three years down the road I will say major events in court or the world could change things, but this is what I believe the plan is now.

Either way, get ready for another two seasons of garbage.

1998 - 8th highest payroll

1999 - 7th highest payroll

2000 - 6th highest payroll

2001 - 4th highest payroll

2002 - 6th highest payroll

2003 - 2nd highest payroll

2004 - 4th highest payroll

What were we trying to build between 98 and 04? A hot dog stand?

I can keep going by the way and just by looking at the list I have we have been in the top 7 in payroll very year since 2008 (furthest my list goes back) except for this past year.

[Coupon]

1998 - 8th highest payroll

1999 - 7th highest payroll

2000 - 6th highest payroll

2001 - 4th highest payroll

2002 - 6th highest payroll

2003 - 2nd highest payroll

2004 - 4th highest payroll

What were we trying to build between 98 and 04? A hot dog stand?

You're proving my point. For a team in the biggest market in the world those are low payrolls. As you'll recall it was Doubleday that insisted on getting Piazza, whose contract moved them up a couple notches. Fred didn't want to spend. In 2003 they were preparing launch of SNY the next year, so it makes sense they'd spend.