Jeff Wilpon says Mets aren’t cheap
By Zach Houle
New York Mets owner Jeff Wilpon says that you don’t need to spend money to win ball games. Surely, that will go over well in Gotham.
On Tuesday afternoon, New York Mets owner Jeff Wilpon met for a media session. Here is what he said about the declining payroll:
"“Being top five in payroll, I don’t think that won us a World Series,” he said Tuesday during a media gathering. “So we’re set out to make the playoffs and do well … try to win the World Series, not try and be at the top five in payroll.”"
The New York Mets have been battling over relevancy with the New York Yankees forever. They have always been the ” David” rather than the ” Goliath.” This is mostly because they have never spent as much money as their rival. Ownership seems like they are more passive to the idea of investing more money into the ball club. Although the team did sign Jay Bruce and Anthony Swarzak, there are still other needs to address.
With that said, the Mets need to be more proactive in their pursuit to improve. They shouldn’t be standing around and waiting for something to fall on their lap. So, Jeff Wilpon and Co. need to pony up and start spending a little more. New York is one of if not the biggest baseball market. Why hold back on cutting the check?
The Mets had a ton of injuries last year, which ultimately derailed their season. The club has some great players such as Noah Syndergaard and Yoenis Cespedes. They have shown that October baseball is possible in Queens. To reward the players, ownership should be adding on to augment that talent. This team could turn out messy the way the Pittsburgh Pirates did, as ownership failed to open the checkbook to support their core.
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With that said, the Mets are in dire need of a turnaround. When healthy, they have shown how to win ball games consistently. At the moment it looks like a one-man band in the NL East, the Washington Nationals, are the only team that sustained success over the past five years. The Mets did give them a fight in 2016, but the rest of the division looks miles away from D.C.
Without any major additions heading into 2018, the Mets aren’t going to win the division. If Wilpon is serious about contending, he is going to have to spend money, period. Unfortunately for Mets fans, what you see is what you’re going to get.