NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Mets COO Jeff Wilpon spoke very confidently and made some bold remarks about the state of his club on Tuesday.
Among other things, the executive said that the Amazin's are ready to spend this offseason and are not handcuffed financially, with more than $40 million coming off the books.
He also said that only "three or four" players are on solid footing for 2014, according to the New York Daily News. Those players are starting pitchers Zack Wheeler, Jon Niese and Dillon Gee, and third baseman David Wright.
Matt Harvey wasn't included, of course, because he will miss all of next season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
General manager Sandy Alderson addressed his boss' comments on Wednesday, and admitted that Wilpon spoke "off the cuff" on Tuesday, according to the New York Post.
"I think there are other guys who would qualify to be on equal stature," Alderson told the newspaper in regard to Wilpon's proclamation that only "three or four" players are locked in
You'd have to think that he's referring to catcher Travis d'Arnaud, closer Bobby Parnell and second baseman Daniel Murphy, although Parnell and Murphy have been the subjects of trade rumors in the past.
As for the team opening its wallet? Alderson has been on record numerous times saying that he has financial flexibility this offseason -- and is willing to spend -- but he did temper expectations a bit.
"Finances are always an issue, with every team," Alderson said, according to the newspaper. "But, certainly, we have a lot more flexibility than we've had in the past. We have much more room to maneuver than in recent years and I hope to take advantage of that maneuverability."
With the World Series having just ended, and players just electing for free agency, it's unlikely to expect any moves in the coming days. It could take weeks or even months.
"We have to see how the market develops," Alderson said, according to the New York Post. "We'll know better what's available at that point."
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Mets GM Sandy Alderson: Jeff Wilpon's Comments Were 'Off The Cuff'
/ CBS New York
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Mets COO Jeff Wilpon spoke very confidently and made some bold remarks about the state of his club on Tuesday.
Among other things, the executive said that the Amazin's are ready to spend this offseason and are not handcuffed financially, with more than $40 million coming off the books.
He also said that only "three or four" players are on solid footing for 2014, according to the New York Daily News. Those players are starting pitchers Zack Wheeler, Jon Niese and Dillon Gee, and third baseman David Wright.
Matt Harvey wasn't included, of course, because he will miss all of next season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
General manager Sandy Alderson addressed his boss' comments on Wednesday, and admitted that Wilpon spoke "off the cuff" on Tuesday, according to the New York Post.
"I think there are other guys who would qualify to be on equal stature," Alderson told the newspaper in regard to Wilpon's proclamation that only "three or four" players are locked in
You'd have to think that he's referring to catcher Travis d'Arnaud, closer Bobby Parnell and second baseman Daniel Murphy, although Parnell and Murphy have been the subjects of trade rumors in the past.
As for the team opening its wallet? Alderson has been on record numerous times saying that he has financial flexibility this offseason -- and is willing to spend -- but he did temper expectations a bit.
"Finances are always an issue, with every team," Alderson said, according to the newspaper. "But, certainly, we have a lot more flexibility than we've had in the past. We have much more room to maneuver than in recent years and I hope to take advantage of that maneuverability."
With the World Series having just ended, and players just electing for free agency, it's unlikely to expect any moves in the coming days. It could take weeks or even months.
"We have to see how the market develops," Alderson said, according to the New York Post. "We'll know better what's available at that point."
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