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Report: Wilpon Says Mets Are Willing To Open Up Their Wallet

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon spoke at the Boys & Girls Club of Garfield, N.J  on Tuesday and gave insight into the team's financial situation. Wilpon says that the Mets are ready spend again -- after the club has freed in excess of $40 million from their payroll in expiring contracts.

"That's always been part of the plan, to use the money that's coming off the books and try and improve the team," Wilpon said to Newsday.

For Wilpon, it's about finding the right fit either through trade or free agency. Any remainder of Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme crippling the Mets' finances appears to have faded away. GM Sandy Alderson's hands are no longer tied.

"If the free agent doesn't present itself, is there a trade where you might pick up somebody else's larger-salary player and the swap out is the same thing?" Wilpon told the paper. "I can't tell you which way it's going to go right now."

The Mets chose not to make a run at Cuban-defecting first baseman Jose Abreu. Wilpon seems satisfied with the Mets' depth at first base.

"That didn't really seem like the point of need," Wilpon told Newsday. "If he played left or rightfield, yeah, I think we probably would have offered the guy a contract."

Mets fans are hoping that management makes a serious run at top talents to surround captain and franchise icon David Wright in the batting order. The outfield free agent class is deep and the Mets are searching for power bats.

In addition, the Mets are looking to bolster their infield, round out their rotation and retool their bullpen.

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