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Just how much money will the Mets be willing to spend to improve the team in 2014? This is something that fans have been wondering for pretty much all of 2013. With the dominoes just starting to fall in free agency, Newsday beat writer Marc Carig has some insight.
Mets source: "Other than [Robinson] Cano, I just don't see anybody who you could say 'OK, we're definitely not going to be in play there.'"
— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) November 7, 2013
Since Cano just turned 31 years old and is likely to sign a contract worth over $200 million this winter, this is not shocking news. What is a little surprising is that everyone else is considered "in play." That would include potential $100 million men Jacoby Ellsbury and Shin-Soo Choo. It all means Carlos Beltran could be targeted by the Mets! And Mike Pelfrey! And Rick Ankiel!
Sure, this news isn't exactly groundbreaking, but it is nice to hear that the Mets are willing to consider higher priced free agents, particularly on the heels of Sandy Alderson's statement that the Mets would even sign free agents who were given qualifying offers. Whether the Mets will actually spend big money—or just pay lip service to fans who are desperate for the team to make a splash in the free agent pool—remains to be seen. Still, optimism!