The main point of today is that the Mets just traded for one of the most exciting stars in baseball. Full stop. Francisco Lindor is not a Yankee or a Dodger or anything else -- he is bringing his bright light to Queens.
For the Mets and their fans, this is a thrill.
Admit it, though. You still want to know about George Springer, Trevor Bauer and other stuff.
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As you know, the Mets have been negotiating with Springer for much of the offseason. According to league sources, the centerfielder is seeking approximately $175 million. The Mets, per sources, had been willing to offer a five-year deal for somewhat less than $150 million.
The Toronto Blue Jays, meanwhile, recently made an opening offer to Springer in the $115 million range, per sources briefed on those talks (Springer’s agent, Casey Close, did not respond to a request for comment).
With Lindor on board, the Mets are less likely to sign Springer. Here’s why: The team will not exceed the $210 million luxury tax threshold this offseason. We’re not sure where the notion came from that money is no object for Steve Cohen’s Mets; it certainly didn’t come from Cohen, Sandy Alderson or Jared Porter. And it is far from the truth.
Cohen has already spent prolifically this offseason, to the tune of about $50 million between Lindor, Carlos Carrasco, James McCann and Trevor May.
That brings the team’s 2021 payroll to a bit under $190 million, leaving just over $20 million of space before hitting the luxury tax. Also, and this is key, the Mets would prefer to begin the season $5-$10 million under the tax level, so they can add players during the season. That’s the industry standard and it’s particularly relevant when Springer’s asking price bumps up against that number.
According to sources (and basic math), signing Springer would now likely require shedding payroll in a different trade. If Springer is willing to be patient and flexible, he might yet be a Met. But the picture changed dramatically today.
As for Bauer? Executives around the league believe that he is hoping to break Gerrit Cole’s record of $36 million in average annual value. Please don’t tell Bauer I wrote that, as I’m not interested in a Twitter war. But it’s obviously very hard to see how the Mets find that amount of payroll now.
Per sources, the Mets are also now out on starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi, because Carrasco essentially takes the role that Odorizzi would have served.