Shopping Spree?

SPORTING GOODS

The other day, I was listening to a disgruntled Yankee fan on WFAN. Obviously sensitive to all the derision the Yankees have been receiving for their pitiful start, he tried to turn the tables and said that since the Mets have the highest payroll in the NL, they should be the ones who are embarrassed. Now, I'm not even going to bother arguing with someone about the difference between having a team payroll of $105 million and $206 million. But it did get me thinking that the Mets sure are spending a lot for a team that, at best, is a probably not much more than a Wild Card contender. (And that may even be a stretch since they play in arguably the best division in baseball. The NL Wild Card team may have a better record than the NL division winner.)

When I checked the Met salaries, I noticed something interesting. After the great Mike Piazza finishes up his contract, the Mets are going to shed more than $16 million. That would drop them from 1st in the NL to 5th. And we all know the Mets are in a "win now" mentality, so I highly doubt they are going to stay that low. They're going to take that money and throw it towards new players, especially a new catcher. I now throw it to Darlucky and Chill to inform us which potential free agents we can expect the Mets to try and sign.

p.s. The Yankees suck.