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Mets reportedly ready to break the bank once lockout ends

By Seth Carlson

Apr 8, 2021; New York City, New York, USA; A message from New York Mets owners Steve Cohen and his wife Alex is played on the video board before an opening day game against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2021; New York City, New York, USA; A message from New York Mets owners Steve Cohen and his wife Alex is played on the video board before an opening day game against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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When you have the richest owner in baseball, money is no object. The Mets seem to be taking that approach to heart.

According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, Steve Cohen’s team is looking to break the bank even after an active spending spree just before the ongoing MLB lockout went into effect.

As Heyman points out, the Mets already have roughly $270 million committed to the 2022 payroll after signing Max Scherzer, Starling Marte, Mark Canha and Eduardo Escobar. And those signings have easily pushed New York over the luxury tax threshold. Not that Steve Cohen is afraid of that, of course.

The Mets could break the bank on more free agents following the MLB lockout

The Mets still have needs to address on their roster, pitching chief among them. While they now have Scherzer to pair with ace Jacob deGrom, behind them is a collection of subpar options like Taijuan Walker, Carlos Carrasco, Tylor Megill, David Peterson and others. Letting Noah Syndergaard walk in free agency to the Angels and Marcus Stroman to the Cubs will hurt this team unless they find replacements. Luckily, they’re willing to break the bank on a “significant pitcher”.

In addition, the Mets are looking to upgrade their lineup further even after adding Starling Marte, Mark Canha and Eduardo Escobar. They already have Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo and Robinson Cano, a decent group on paper. Perhaps a Kyle Schwarber or Kris Bryant pursuit could come next for New York in order to put them over the top.

Signing two more high-caliber players as Heyman suggests would put the Mets on the hook for over $300 million in payroll committed just for 2022, but it’s evident that Steve Cohen is willing to do anything to win.

Next. Do Astros fans even want to pay Carlos Correa what he wants?. dark

Coming off a 2021 season in which they finished under .500 after being in first place most of the year, and with the defending champions in their division, expect the Mets to put themselves in position to contend this year.

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