Official 2020 Mets Thread, p. 50

[2010]

Hopefully this means there is more money to spend this offseason.

[reub]

I heard that we're saving $10 million on Cespedes' contract. Betances please.

[HarthorneWingo]

I heard that we're saving $10 million on Cespedes' contract. Betances please.

I read on my B/R feed that a Dellin signing - or anymore bullpen signing - wasn't happening. Lugo and Gman are in the BP, with possibly Matz, is what I'm seeing.

EDIT (from Metsblog):

I guess Dominic Smith and JD Davis are trade pieces along with David Peterson and Giminez. It'll be interesting to see what we do. Looks like, baring major injuries, we'll be a pretty good team. Better than last year's.

Now that the Mets have reached an agreement with Yoenis Cespedes to reduce his contract for the 2020 season, as reported by SNY's Andy Martino, what exactly could the team look to do with the extra cap space?

According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, Cespedes' salary for 2020 was cut from $29.5 million to less than $10 million, though he could make back $20 million via performances bonuses.

So the first question is how exactly does the Cespedes situation affect the Mets in terms of the luxury tax? Former MLB GM and current SNY analyst Jim Duquette broke down the situation on Baseball Night in New York.

"Remember now, I know he's paid $29.5 (million), but his average annual value, which is what the luxury tax is based off of, is $27.5 (million), so let's say it was $10 million that they saved … If they're lucky enough to try to move Jed Lowrie and get somebody to take back some of the salary, let's say they get back half of the money savings on a Lowrie contract, that would be another, in theory $5 million. So you start to see cases where the Mets can free up some money to be able to add to their roster.

"By the way, it only matters where your luxury tax number is at the end of the season, so even if they were to go over slightly, they'd have the opportunity in-season to try to subtract and get below it too. So it gives them a lot more flexibility to be more aggressive and improve the team without having to pay the tax over that $208 million."

At the Winter Meetings in San Diego, the Mets added Michael Wacha and Rick Porcello, and while GM Brodie Van Wagenen has said that those additions also help bolster the bullpen since Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman will be staying in the pen, SNY's Anthony McCarron wants to see the Mets add some bigger-name relievers.

"I want them to improve that bullpen. We've talked about it over and over again," McCarron said. "They haven't made any additions to the bullpen, and I don't buy the idea that Lugo and Gsellman are additions to the bullpen because they're not going to be starters now, because they have, as Brodie put it, the deepest rotation in baseball.

"So start signing some high-end relievers. I'd like Dellin Betances on this team to start with, and then add another Betances-esque arm to it as well, especially if the money works out, but get some more inventory in that bullpen."

Meanwhile, Doug Williams questioned whether or not this Cespedes news could help the Mets reignite some of the trade talks they previously been linked to.

"Does this bring them back into a potential Mookie Betts deal? Does this make somebody like Francisco Lindor or Carlos Correa even more possible, all set to earn a lot of money in arbitration? These are guys under team control. Mookie Betts if going to make just south of $30 million dollars," said Williams.

"You thought before this news 'Oh it's an interesting idea, but there's no chance they can afford a contract of that level.' That may be changing now."

[reub]

I heard that we're saving $10 million on Cespedes' contract. Betances please.

I read on my B/R feed that a Dellin signing - or anymore bullpen signing - wasn't happening. Lugo and Gman are in the BP, with possibly Matz, is what I'm seeing.

EDIT (from Metsblog):

I guess Dominic Smith and JD Davis are trade pieces along with David Peterson and Giminez. It'll be interesting to see what we do. Looks like, baring major injuries, we'll be a pretty good team. Better than last year's.

Now that the Mets have reached an agreement with Yoenis Cespedes to reduce his contract for the 2020 season, as reported by SNY's Andy Martino, what exactly could the team look to do with the extra cap space?

According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, Cespedes' salary for 2020 was cut from $29.5 million to less than $10 million, though he could make back $20 million via performances bonuses.

So the first question is how exactly does the Cespedes situation affect the Mets in terms of the luxury tax? Former MLB GM and current SNY analyst Jim Duquette broke down the situation on Baseball Night in New York.

"Remember now, I know he's paid $29.5 (million), but his average annual value, which is what the luxury tax is based off of, is $27.5 (million), so let's say it was $10 million that they saved … If they're lucky enough to try to move Jed Lowrie and get somebody to take back some of the salary, let's say they get back half of the money savings on a Lowrie contract, that would be another, in theory $5 million. So you start to see cases where the Mets can free up some money to be able to add to their roster.

"By the way, it only matters where your luxury tax number is at the end of the season, so even if they were to go over slightly, they'd have the opportunity in-season to try to subtract and get below it too. So it gives them a lot more flexibility to be more aggressive and improve the team without having to pay the tax over that $208 million."

At the Winter Meetings in San Diego, the Mets added Michael Wacha and Rick Porcello, and while GM Brodie Van Wagenen has said that those additions also help bolster the bullpen since Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman will be staying in the pen, SNY's Anthony McCarron wants to see the Mets add some bigger-name relievers.

"I want them to improve that bullpen. We've talked about it over and over again," McCarron said. "They haven't made any additions to the bullpen, and I don't buy the idea that Lugo and Gsellman are additions to the bullpen because they're not going to be starters now, because they have, as Brodie put it, the deepest rotation in baseball.

"So start signing some high-end relievers. I'd like Dellin Betances on this team to start with, and then add another Betances-esque arm to it as well, especially if the money works out, but get some more inventory in that bullpen."

Meanwhile, Doug Williams questioned whether or not this Cespedes news could help the Mets reignite some of the trade talks they previously been linked to.

"Does this bring them back into a potential Mookie Betts deal? Does this make somebody like Francisco Lindor or Carlos Correa even more possible, all set to earn a lot of money in arbitration? These are guys under team control. Mookie Betts if going to make just south of $30 million dollars," said Williams.

"You thought before this news 'Oh it's an interesting idea, but there's no chance they can afford a contract of that level.' That may be changing now."

So we might have freed up $19 million in salary with this renegotiation. Let's go on a shopping spree.

[HarthorneWingo]

Yeah, looks like Betances is still in the game. I still think we need an everyday CF even if it isn't Marte. The think about Marte is that he's kinda inexpensive, like $13M for each of the next two years, I believe. So, it's more of a function of what we have to give up for him. Personally, I'd like to keep Nimmo because I do think he has upside on the MLB level, if he can stay healthy. So maybe JD Davis and a minor leaguer?

Are there better options?

[reub]

Yeah, looks like Betances is still in the game. I still think we need an everyday CF even if it isn't Marte. The think about Marte is that he's kinda inexpensive, like $13M for each of the next two years, I believe. So, it's more of a function of what we have to give up for him. Personally, I'd like to keep Nimmo because I do think he has upside on the MLB level, if he can stay healthy. So maybe JD Davis and a minor leaguer?

Are there better options?

I love JD Davis' bat so much I'd bite my lip and play him every day in LF. Nimmo is fine in CF, with Mirasnick backing him up. Conforto can also play some if necessary. Give me 1 more strong relief arms, one of them Betances.

[HarthorneWingo]

Yeah, looks like Betances is still in the game. I still think we need an everyday CF even if it isn't Marte. The think about Marte is that he's kinda inexpensive, like $13M for each of the next two years, I believe. So, it's more of a function of what we have to give up for him. Personally, I'd like to keep Nimmo because I do think he has upside on the MLB level, if he can stay healthy. So maybe JD Davis and a minor leaguer?

Are there better options?

I love JD Davis' bat so much I'd bite my lip and play him every day in LF. Nimmo is fine in CF, with Mirasnick backing him up. Conforto can also play some if necessary. Give me 1 more strong relief arms, one of them Betances.

Nimmo's ok in CF but, again, will he stay healthy? I think the jury is out on that question until he does it. But I wouldn't go out on a limb for form. I can live with Nimmo in CF but then I'll want better defense at C. Gotta be strong up the middle. At least, that's what she said.

[reub]

If we think that Wacha is healthy I think I'd trade Thor. He's been terrible for 2 seasons and looked totally lost last year. He'd bring us something good, I believe.

I can see a team like the Astros being interested.

[HarthorneWingo]

Final details of the Wacha Wacha Wacha contract

DECEMBER 15: Anthony DiComo of MLB.com has the breakdown on the incentives in Wacha’s contract. He’ll earn $500K for making 10, 14, and 18 starts, along with $500K for each start from 20-30. Finally, Wacha can earn $1.35MM worth of award bonuses. With $8.35MM worth of incentives, Wacha’s total earning potential for 2020 comes out to $11.35MM.

[Jeffrey]

So far, I like this offseason. It is to build upon our core. No crazy shakeups (except for Wheeler signing Philly). Let's get a backup catcher (defensive minded) and another arm.

[HarthorneWingo]

So far, I like this offseason. It is to build upon our core. No crazy shakeups (except for Wheeler signing Philly). Let's get a backup catcher (defensive minded) and another arm.

The Yankees are allegedly interested in signing Maldonado as a backup which suggests to me that Romine might be a FA. I dunno, but if he is, that might not be a bad signing for a backup.

[Jeffrey]

So far, I like this offseason. It is to build upon our core. No crazy shakeups (except for Wheeler signing Philly). Let's get a backup catcher (defensive minded) and another arm.

The Yankees are allegedly interested in signing Maldonado as a backup which suggests to me that Romine might be a FA. I dunno, but if he is, that might not be a bad signing for a backup.

Romine signed with the Tigers 1 year 4.15m deal

[reub]

I meant earlier to sign two relievers, Betances being one of them.

We can't go into the season with Diaz and Familia as question marks with Gsellman's inconsistency and Lugo needing 2 days off after every time he pitches.

[HarthorneWingo]

So far, I like this offseason. It is to build upon our core. No crazy shakeups (except for Wheeler signing Philly). Let's get a backup catcher (defensive minded) and another arm.

The Yankees are allegedly interested in signing Maldonado as a backup which suggests to me that Romine might be a FA. I dunno, but if he is, that might not be a bad signing for a backup.

Romine signed with the Tigers 1 year 4.15m deal

Rene Riviera and Need-dough again?

[HarthorneWingo]

If we think that Wacha is healthy I think I'd trade Thor. He's been terrible for 2 seasons and looked totally lost last year. He'd bring us something good, I believe.

I can see a team like the Astros being interested.

Looks like Betances is following Girardi to Philly. Understandable since Girardi knows him so well.

[YungKnicks]

Do we have 3 to 4 million for Will Harris?

[HarthorneWingo]

Do we have 3 to 4 million for Will Harris?

I like Will Harris.

[reub]

Will Harris come here, though?

[HarthorneWingo]

Nolan Arenado

[Jeffrey]

Jokes on us... the savings were actually for Wacha and Porcello.