METS WALKER TRADE SAVES MORE THAN $9M

NEWYORK » The New York Mets saved $3 million by trading infielder Neil Walker to the Milwaukee Brewers, part of $11.6 million in payroll cuts in recent weeks. New York also added $2.3 million when it acquired reliever A. J. Ramos from Miami, leaving its net savings at $9.3 million. As part of Saturday’s trade, the Mets agreed to pay the Brewers $1,699,454 on Sept. 30, according to details obtained by The Associated Press. Walker was owed $4,699,454 of his $17.2 million salary at the time of the deal. He can become a free agent after the World Series. The 31-year- old had a pair of hits Sunday, starting at third base in his Brewers debut. New York saved $ 3,765,027 when it dealt outfielder Jay Bruce to Indians Cleveland assumedlast Wednesday.the remainderThe of his $13 million salary.

In deals late last month, the Mets cut payroll by $2,614,754 when they traded first baseman Lucas Duda to Tampa Bay on July 27 and $2,262,568 when they sent reliever Addison Reed to Boston four days later. No cash was involved in those deals, so the Rays took on the rest of Duda’s $7.25 million salary and the Red Sox the remainder of Reed’s $7.75 million pay

amosR has a $6.55 million salary and had $2,326,503 remaining at the time of the trade.

New York began the season with a $156.8 million payroll for its 40-man roster, according to figures compiled by Major League Baseball. The injury-ravaged Mets headed into this week’s Subway Series with a 53-62 record and out of contention for a playoff berth.

MATT SLOCUM — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS New York Mets third baseman Neil Walker catches a line out by Philadelphia Phillies' Cesar Hernandez during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Thursday in Philadelphia. New York won 10-0.

MORRY GASH — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Milwaukee Brewers' Neil Walker makes a play on a ball hit by Cincinnati Reds' Scooter Gennett during the second inning of a baseball game Sunday in Milwaukee.