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Mets' Payroll Under $100M In 2012? Alderson Says Don't 'Overreact' To Reports

NEW YORK (WFAN) -- The bad news keeps piling on for Mets fans.

Not only did owner Fred Wilpon tell SI's Tom Verducci that the franchise is "bleeding cash" -- to the tune of $70 million this year alone -- he also "confirmed the likely scenario is that the Mets will not re-invest most of the ($64 million) coming off the ($142 million) payroll."

"If you invest your $100 million properly, as most clubs that are competitive are in that range . . . I think that we have to see what Sandy (Alderson) wants to do, and Sandy wants flexibility," Wilpon told Verducci. "He's going to have to make those decisions . . . The answer to your question is yeah, that could happen."

Alderson was asked Tuesday whether a 30% cut in payroll is really in the works.

"Are we talking about The New Yorker article?" Alderson asked. "Look, I haven't read Sports Illustrated. I haven't read Mechanics Illustrated, Men's Health. I don't know what stories may be out there. So until I've read those stories, I can't comment."

He added: "No ... I wouldn't overreact to what might be contained in that article."

LISTEN: Alderson says Mets fans shouldn't "overreact"

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Like most Mets and fans alike, Alderson was taken off guard by Wilpon's criticism of David Wright, Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes.

"Everyone was surprised by the comments," said Alderson, "but there is nobody who is more passionate about the Mets, or has more empathy for the players, than Fred."

Wilpon told The New Yorker's Jeffrey Toobin that Beltran is "65 to 70 percent of what he was" and Reyes "won't get" a Carl Crawford-type contract. Both players are set to come off the Mets' payroll after this season.

"We all get caught up in the emotion from time to time, and perhaps say some things that upon reflection probably were not well-chosen," Alderson added. "But I know that he has reached out to the players involved, and has talked to most, if not all, of them by now."

Will the Mets' payroll be south of $100 million next season? Fire away in the comments below...

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