Moves have Mets about where they want to be
PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets are finished looking.
Though the team could potentially use a lefty reliever to complement Jerry Blevins in the bullpen, general manager Sandy Alderson on Sunday sounded as if he has spent his last significant dollars of the offseason.
Jason Vargas’ addition pushed the Mets’ payroll north of $150 million in a winter the team also added Jay Bruce, Todd Frazier, Anthony Swarzak, Jose Reyes and Adrian Gonzalez.
“The day after we signed [Vargas] it felt like the day after finals: The semester was over,” Alderson said. “We have come a long way from the trade deadline last year. When the season ended we were down five or six major league players that we had traded, we were looking for a new manager, we needed a new coaching staff. We wanted to improve our medical department, expand our analytics department. There were so many things we were looking at, and with Jason’s signing we are pretty much where we want to be.”
Reyes arrived at camp vowing to be prepared for any situation he’s asked to contribute and continue his mentorship of shortstop Amed Rosario.
“I know that I have a great relationship with Rosario and I am going to help him the most that I can, everything that he needs,” Reyes said. “He is going to be one of the best players in this league for a long time and I am going to be open, I have told him, anything you need to know just let me know, because I know how stuff is from the beginning.”
To clear space on the 40-man roster for Vargas, the Mets placed T.J. Rivera on the 60-day disabled list as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.
The Mets’ first fullsquad workout is Monday. Grapefruit League play is scheduled to begin Friday with a game against the Braves at First Data Field.