CINCINNATIThe specter of Bernard Madoff no longer hangs over the Mets. And the threat of a crippling lawsuit has passed. But as they slog through another summer of disappointment, their precise financial state remains something of a mystery.
This much we know: After settling a lawsuit filed by the trustee representing Madoff victims and selling $240 million worth of minority stakes in the team, the Wilpon family is no longer in danger of losing its grip on the Mets.
But it's unclear to what extent the team will be able to increase its payroll next winter, if at all, after a $50 million slash from 2011 to 2012.
When approached by reporters at Citi Field over the weekend, principal owner Fred Wilpon referred all questions to general manager Sandy Alderson. But in an interview Tuesday, Alderson said he isn't sure how money much he'll have to invest in talent this winter.
"I haven't had any conversations with ownership about it," Alderson said. "I'm still focused on 2012, as is the rest of the front office. Over the next several weeks, that focus will shift, but it really hasn't yet."
The Mets opened the season with a payroll of around $93 million, down from $143 million at the start of 2011. Though the severity of the cut did not become clear until the winter, a substantial decrease was expected. By midseason, Alderson knew the team was projecting a significant operating loss.
This year, he can only wonder. Do the Mets expect to lose less than $70 million in 2012? "I don't know the answer to that question," Alderson said.
In spring training, Wilpon emphasized the need to increase attendance, saying, "We need that revenue." But despite slashing some ticket prices, the Mets are drawing fewer fans again this year. They are averaging 28,979 fans per game at Citi Field, according to Baseball-Reference.com, down from 30,248 in 2011.
The state of the Mets' finances will have major implications for Alderson's ability to upgrade the roster. Though their starting rotation appears set for 2013, they will need to overhaul their bullpen, which entered Tuesday with the worst ERA in the majors (4.96).
They don't have a single viable, everyday outfielder. And they will attempt to sign third baseman David Wright to a lucrative, multiyear contract extension.
Alderson said he is more confident about re-signing Wright than he was last year with shortstop Jose Reyes, who signed with the Miami Marlins for $106 million. That is in part because the Mets hold a $16 million option to retain Wright for 2013, whereas Reyes was a free agent.
"I don't think it has to do with leverage exclusively," he said. "I think it's because at least there's a period of time when it's not do or die. I think he would like to stay in New York, not to the exclusion of all other considerations. And I think there's a willingness on our part to accommodate that."
The same is true with pitcher R.A. dikkey, who has become their ace. The Mets hold a $5 million option on him for 2013. They will attempt to sign him to an extension this winter, but Alderson wouldn't speculate on the likelihood of reaching a deal.
"That depends on what R.A. wants to do," he said. "I've told him personally I think he's part of our long-term solution and we'd like to have him here beyond next year."
The Mets entered Tuesday with a 55-60 record, which put them 16½ games out of first place. As 2012 increasingly becomes an afterthought, fans will continue to wonder about the future.
But at this point, there are more questions than answers.
The Mets picked up manager Terry Collins's option for 2013 at the end of last year, ensuring he wouldn't be viewed as a lame duck this year. But Alderson said he hasn't thought about whether to extend Collins through 2014 or beyond.
"It may have been wrong of me not to have thought about it," Alderson said. "Terry's done a great job again this year and I'm very happy with the job he's done and the working relationship he's had. That's something we'll consider a little bit into the future."
