Mets not in play for ‘two big boys’ yet

The Mets have not made offers to Manny Machado or Bryce Harper.

Brodie Van Wagenen told Mike Francesa on his WFAN radio show Wednesday that the Mets had not yet made an offer “to the two big boys.” While neither Mets COO Jeff Wilpon nor the Mets GM would specify what their targeted Opening Day payroll would be, Van Wagenen said they would have to be “very creative,” to bring in either under the current “parameters.”

That confirms what the Mets have said privately — and has been reported all along — since the season ended. Machado and Harper, the “two big boys,” on the market are not in their crosshairs. Machado, the infielder who seems like a strong fit for the Yankees at this point, and Harper, who will be hosting teams next week when all of baseball converges on his hometown of Las Vegas for the Winter Meetings, will both likely land mega, multi-year deals.

That said, the Mets front office has been clear to say they will be aggressive with any opportunities that cross their desk. So, if there is a sharp dip in demands from Machado and Harper, the Mets would be more than willing to listen.

TEBOW TO START IN TRIPLE-A

Van Wagenen announced on WFAN Wednesday that his former client and the Mets most famous minor leaguer, Tim Tebow, will begin the season in Triple-A Syracuse.

The former Heisman Trophy winner hit .284 with six home runs and 36 RBI in 84 games with Double-A Binghamton last season before breaking the hamate bone in his right hand.