The Mets are making a big splash this offseason, investing heavily in their roster for the upcoming season. Get the latest news on their moves and find out what it means for the team’s chances in 2023.
As Major League Baseball teams prepare for a new season, many are already spending large amounts of money to bolster their rosters. The free agent market has been particularly active this offseason, with big names like Aaron Judge signing a massive contract.
But no team is spending as much as the Mets, and the team is poised to break a record.
The Steve Cohen Factor
Steve Cohen bought the Mets in 2020 and became by far MLB’s wealthiest owner; Cohen’s net worth is about $14.6 billion, which makes him wealthier than the next three richest MLB owners combined.
Cohen and his general manager, Billy Eppler, have been working on adding more value to their baseball team than anyone else has.
The New York Mets were one of six MLB teams that had to pay luxury tax last season, and in 2023 they will have to do it again. Because the Queens team’s roster is already record-breaking and reports say this winter’s work isn’t done, it will continue to grow.
Some of the contracts that the team has negotiated are the following:
Francisco Lindor
In the 2021 season, they reached an agreement for 10 years and 341 million dollars, which makes the Puerto Rican shortstop one of the highest-paid in the entire league.
Max Scherzer
In 2021, Scherzer was given a three-year, $130 million contract for an annual average of $43.3 million.
Edwin Diaz
In the first hours of free agency this year, they secured the continuity of their Puerto Rican closer by negotiating a record contract for 102 million dollars for five seasons.
Justin Verlander
Verlander arrives to fill the void for deGrom’s departure to Texas. The agreement to do with the services of the best in the American League is 86.6 million dollars for two seasons.
Brandon Nimmo
Nimmo is an excellent defender in the center field and a solvent left-handed bat, ideal to lead the lineup. They gave him an eight-year, $162 million deal plus a $2 million signing bonus.
Kodai Senga
The Japanese reached an agreement with the Mets for five seasons and US$75 million.
Cohen and the Mets have spent a total of $461.7 million this offseason, including nearly $360 million last week alone; that’s pretty much the value of 23 years of average contracts.
The Mets’ 2023 payroll is estimated at a whopping $345 million plus an additional $76.2 million in luxury tax. The team has 12 players set to make a base salary of $10+ million next season. These numbers don’t compare to anything seen before in the league.
Based on figures current through Aug. 31 compiled by Major League Baseball. The Dodgers rank second in payroll with $267.2 million, followed by the New York Yankees with $254.4 million.
Money is not free
Of course, by investing so much money, results are expected, and in the case of the Mets, they hope to win their first World Series title since 1986.
“I have expectations that the Mets are the last team standing. What else is there? I mean, that’s why we get up in the morning every day,” Mets manager Buck Showalter said.
“It’s a little cold. It’s a little cruel, but I’d rather know up front what the endgame is supposed to be.
Some people go their whole lives not knowing exactly what success is supposed to be. No one has to come in here to tell me how we’re doing. There’s a scoreboard and a standings. It’s right there. If you don’t like it, play better.”
What do the odds say?
With such colossal spending, you would expect the Mets to be the favorites to win the World Series next season, but they are third with +900. They are only behind the Astros and Dodgers, respectively.
The 2023 World Series is far on the horizon, but if you’re feeling lucky, now might be the time to make a long-shot bet on whoever will win it. Although there are no definitive predictions yet as to which teams will make it to the finals, that doesn’t have to stop you from betting on a future winner.
If you feel confident and have some money in your pocket, this may be the time for a daring wager!
Although predicting who will win any sporting event is always tricky, those looking for high stakes and an adrenaline rush may relish putting their money behind a potential upset.
Even with underdogs in the mix, savvy gamblers know that anything can happen in sports and could potentially walk away with a massive payout if they get it right.