Billy Eppler was given the day off Sunday by his boss — which meant no phone contact with owner Steve Cohen — after the wildest offseason week in Mets history.
The second-year Mets general manager added $360 million in new contracts beginning Monday at the winter meetings with Justin Verlander’s deal and ending late Saturday night withThe numbers are staggering, including a $345 million projected payroll for next season , which doesn’t include a $76.2 million bill as a second-time offender surpassing the top luxury-tax threshold.
Brandon Nimmo’s return on an eight-year contract worth $162 million filled a glaring need in center field, but a look at the Mets’ roster shows the club thin on outfield depth.So it wouldn’t be surprising if the Mets are set to dip into the free-agent or trade market for an outfielder that can join Nimmo, Starling Marte and Mark Canha. The Mets also have Jeff McNeil, who can play a corner-outfield position as needed and Khalil Lee, who struggled offensively last season for Triple-A Syracuse.
Daniel Vogelbach and Darin Ruf remain the DH combination, but it’s fair to question whether that will remain the case headed to spring training. Vogelbach, who arrived before the trade deadline from the Pirates, was solid against right-handed pitchers, but struggles against lefties. The Mets could still look to trade Ruf, who was a disappointment over the final two months after arriving in a trade with the Giants.
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