Eppler talks payroll and plans for Beltrán's role

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Mets general manager Billy Eppler defended his club’s record payroll on Saturday, saying that no rival executives have contacted him to complain and that, historically speaking, New York’s high total is not actually a record on a pro-rate basis.

Specifically, Eppler argued, New York’s payroll is closer to Major League Baseball’s Competitive Balance Tax threshold (about a 59% overage from the lowest CBT level, according to ESPN analyses) than the Yankees were in 2004 (a 69% overage), and nearly identical to where the Dodgers finished (58%) in 2015. The CBT threshold has grown over time, however, making the Mets’ projected payroll of around $370 million by far the highest in MLB history.

“We’re not exactly in a new frontier,” Eppler said. “But with the payroll comes expectations.”

Eppler busied himself this winter handing out 10 free agent contracts, including deals for Brandon Nimmo ($162 million), Edwin Díaz ($102 million), Justin Verlander ($86.6 million) and Kodai Senga ($75 million). Asked if spending nearly half a billion dollars of owner Steve Cohen’s money was a difficult task, Eppler demurred.

“What you’re really trying to do is just fill out the roster, and the market’s going to dictate where you have to go with that,” the GM said. “It’s something that we consider, something that we’re aware of, something that Steve and I talk about regularly. But ultimately, he made a commitment to the fans, and he and [wife] Alex are completely supportive in providing the resources for us.”

Bullpen appears set
Although the Mets sent an evaluator to watch former All-Star Zack Britton’s showcase workout earlier this week, a source indicated the team is unlikely to continue pursuing the lefty reliever in Spring Training. Britton is looking to hook on with a team after missing most of the last two seasons due to Tommy John surgery.

Britton does have an obvious Mets tie due to his previous relationship with manager Buck Showalter in Baltimore, but the club also values keeping bullpen spots available for optionable relievers.

Farm system staff
Among the Mets’ uniformed Minor League staff members are three women, up from one last year: Gretchen Aucoin, the first on-field female coach in franchise history. This summer, Aucoin will be joined by full-time coaches Regan Saulnier and Breanne Nasti, as well as part-timer Rachel Neugart.

The Mets also employ several women in non-uniformed developmental roles, including Vanessa Weisbach, who earned a promotion to become one of two athletic trainers at Triple-A Syracuse.

Other prominent 2023 Minor League hires and reassignments include former bench coach Dick Scott, who is now the manager at Syracuse; former big league catcher J.P. Arencibia, who will serve as Scott’s bench coach; and former Mets player Miguel Cairo, who is the organization’s Minor League infield coordinator.

Jack of all trades
When Carlos Beltrán reports to Mets camp in his new front office role, Eppler plans to sit with him and Showalter to determine how best to utilize him on staff. Eppler indicated that Beltrán could take on scouting-type duties over the summer, but that he could also serve as an on-field instructor during Spring Training.

“A large portion of his role is going to be supporting the development side,” Eppler said of Beltrán, who briefly served as Mets manager from 2019-20. “I’ll say that development continues at the Major League level, too. … We’ll learn a lot from each other, and I’m really glad to have his perspective.”

Beltrán’s countryman, Francisco Lindor, was equally excited about having the nine-time All-Star in camp.

“Huge asset,” Lindor said. “I think he’s someone that’s very knowledgeable. Someone that’s had ups and downs in his career. Someone that will help Billy and other members of the front office communicate with us. Sometimes, we can’t really relate, because whether they talk a different language or they’ve never really played the game. But having Beltrán, who’s done both, he can definitely talk to the players and talk to the front office.”

Lee to Minors camp
After initially revealing that outfielder Khalil Lee would receive an invitation to Major League Spring Training, the Mets announced that they intend to send Lee to Minor League camp instead. He will report on March 2.

Lee is under MLB investigation over allegations of domestic violence last summer in Syracuse. The Syracuse Police Department reportedly issued a warrant for Lee’s arrest, but has yet to act on the warrant or charge Lee with a crime. Eppler declined to comment further than stating that Lee remains under MLB investigation.