I have seen a lot of speculation regarding exactly how much payroll flexibility Omar has heading into the off-season. A lot of it depends on what Wilpon is willing to spend. For all we know, Wilpon only signed off on the Johan contract knowing that Pedro was off the books in 2009. This article will show the Mets payroll as of today and how much flexibility Omar could have depending on the will of the Wilpons.

Here’s a look at the Mets payroll flexibility going into the offseason. (ROTOWORLD/ESPN).

Off the Books (significant contracts):

1. Pedro Martinez: $11,813,351
2. Moises Alou: $7.5 million
3. Orlando Hernandez: $7 million
4. Oliver Perez: $6.5 million
5. Luis Ayala: $1.7 million
6. Matt Wise: $1.2 million
7. Damion Easley: $950,000
8. $4 million of Carlos Delgado’s Contract (going from $16 million to $12 million)

Total: $40,663,351

Increased Salary from 2008 to 2009:

Marlon Anderson: $1.05 million (2008), $1.15 million (2009)
Ramon Castro: $1.85 million (2008), $2.5 million (2009)
Endy Chavez: $1.8 million (2008), $2.05 million (2009)
Jose Reyes: $4,375,000 (2008), $5.75 million (2009) (Note 2010: $9 million)
Johan Santana: $19 million (2008), $20 million (2009)
David Wright $5 million (2008), $7.5 million (2009) (Note 2010: $10 million)

Total Increase: $5,875,000

Arbitration Eligible (2008 Salary):

Ryan Church ($2 million), Pedro Feliciano ($1.025 million), Aaron Heilman ($1.2 million), John Maine ($450,000), Duaner Sanchez ($850,000)

The only arbitration eligible player I could imagine making a significant dent in payroll flexibility would be John Maine. He is at least a #3 starter who is making near the league minimum. The Mets will give him a decent contract (even though he’s coming off surgery). The bottom line is that John Maine coming off shoulder surgery is worth much more than $450,000.

The other arbitration eligible players will also likely have salary increases. The Mets will have to give these players contracts to avoid arbitration. The only player I could see going through arbitration is Aaron Heilman. I just get the feeling he will want set-up man money. He is 30 years old and, before this season, was a setup man for three seasons. Aaron Heilman sees himself as that and I doubt the Mets front office agrees at this point.

PAYROLL FLEXIBILITY:
2008 Payroll: $137,391,376
Off the Books: $40,663,351
Payroll Increase: $5,875,000
Arbitration: To be determined

Mets payroll as of 10/13/2008: $102,603,025 (with inevitable increases through the arbitration process).

Payroll Flexibility

(Note: Subject to increase re: arbitration eligible players):

1. Payroll flexibility if Wilpon allows Minaya to reach $137,391,376 (2008 payroll) for 2009’s payroll: $34,788,351.

2. Payroll flexibility if Wilpon wants Minaya to return to the $117,915,819 payroll of 2007: $15,312,794.
-This is unlikely but anything is possible. Plus maybe returning to this payroll was a condition of the Johan signing. Who knows.

3. Between 2006 and 2007, the Mets payroll increased by $17,014,734. From 2007 to 2008, the payroll increased by almost $20 million (Hello Johan). Anything is possible if Wilpon believes a signing can improve the team. Let’s now assume that Wilpon is willing to increase the payroll by another $17 million for 2009. Payroll Flexibility in this scenario: $51,788,351.