Mets Trade: Payroll Increases By $30 Million With Francisco Lindor Deal

Steve Cohen’s purchase of the New York Mets is already starting to pay dividends with a blockbuster trade that will increase the team’s payroll significantly. New York has agreed to acquire infielder Francisco Lindor and starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco from the Cleveland Indians.

The Mets will send Amed Rosario and Andres Gimenez to the Indians, along with prospects Josh Wolf and Isaiah Greene, according to MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo. Unwilling to match MLB’s biggest spenders under previous ownership, the move is further proof that Cohen is ready to open his wallet in pursuit of a championship.

Cleveland had been looking to trade Lindor in hopes of saving money. The Indians are sending approximately $44 million in total salary to the Mets. Carrasco is guaranteed to make $12 million in each of the next two seasons. Lindor is entering his final year of arbitration, which is expected to pay him around $20 million for the 2021 season.

Rosario and Giménez are set to earn less than $3 million combined next season.

Cleveland sheds about $44 million off their payroll in the #Mets trade, which is what they sought to do all winter.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 7, 2021

Carlos Carrasco's remaining contract: $12 million in 2021, $12 million in 2022 and a $14 million club option of $3 million buyout in 2023.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 7, 2021

In the long run, the trade may cost the Mets hundreds of millions of dollars. Lindor is headed for free agency after the 2021 season, and you can be sure New York intends to give him an extension. Lindor could command anywhere from $200-$300 million as he seeks a new contract.

Lindor was an All-Star and a top-15 MVP finisher in each year from 2015-2019. Carrasco finished seventh in the American League last season with a 29.1 ERA.

Only the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers have a higher payroll than the Mets, according to Spotrac. With more than $160 million owed to its players for next season, the team is likely not done spending. The Mets are considered the frontrunners to sign star outfielder George Springer.

The Mets finished sixth among all teams in the truncated 60-game 2020 season with an $81.9 million payroll. New York spent $146.8 million on its roster in 2019, putting the Mets behind 12 other clubs.

With less than $23 million in player salaries, the Indians now have the lowest payroll in baseball.