PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The late Al Davis, the longtime owner and general manager of the Oakland Raiders, came to be known by his signature phrase, “Just win, baby.” Mets GM Sandy Alderson, who worked in the same building as Davis for three years as the GM of the Oakland A’s, could soon become known by a phrase that conveys a similar meaning: “We’re all in.”
At his first press conference of the year Sunday, Alderson made it clear that the Mets won’t be sparing any costs when it comes to the pursuit of winning this season. Two years ago, the Mets had a taste of success but are still hanging on to that as motivation to win their first World Series title since 1986.
Wright played catch, what’s next?
When asked if the team was capable of making a move at the trade deadline with the current payroll, Alderson said yes.
“We’re all in here,” Alderson said. “I think it’s a credit to our ownership that our payroll is as high as it is now, given where we have been as recently as two years ago and where our budget might have been. But we’ve had the fortune here recently of being able to take advantage of opportunities or not have to make moves on the basis of payroll. From that standpoint, I think we should all be pleased.”
Alderson’s goal over the winter was to trade away an outfielder — preferably $13 million Jay Bruce or $15 million Curtis Granderson — in order to shed some payroll and make room for younger outfielders like Michael Conforto. But he didn’t find a buyer and the organization has now come around to the idea of having so much depth in the outfield.
For now, all trade discussions have been shelved.
“As far as the outfield itself is concerned, there are no ongoing trade discussions,” Alderson said. “We’re fully prepared to go into the season with the group that we have and make the necessary adjustments that we might have to make, so that we don’t end up with seven outfielders on the team at the end of spring training.”
What hasn’t been shelved is contract extension discussions with second baseman Neil Walker. Alderson declined to go into specifics, but said they have started talking.
However, that wouldn’t effect the 2017 payroll, which is at $149.135 million. Sportrac.com projects that to be the 12th-highest in the league in 2017. While shedding payroll is never a bad thing, it’s clear that’s not the Mets’ priority. The priority is winning.
Go all in, and just win, baby.
Abbey Mastracco may be reached at amastracco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @abbeymastracco. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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