Wilpon defends Mets' payroll

New York

Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon defended the team's offseason spending, saying more moves are likely before opening day and during the season.

"Being top five in payroll, I don't think that won us a World Series," he said Tuesday during a media gathering. "So we're set out to make the playoffs and do well ... try to win the World Series, not try and be at the top five in payroll."

New York started last season at $157 million for its 40-man roster and cut it to $149 million as the team faded from contention following a series of injuries. Two years after reaching the World Series, the Mets went 70-92 for their worst record since 2009.

This year's payroll projects to be in the $140 million range after New York gave outfielder Jay Bruce a $39 million, three-year contract and reliever Anthony Swarzak a $14 million, two-year deal.

"I get what the fan perception is. It's not something that's lost on any of us," Wilpon said. "I understand the fan base's frustration and we have the same frustration."

New York lost pitchers Noah Syndergaard, Matt Harvey, Steven Matz and Zack Wheeler to injuries last year along with closer Jeurys Familia and slugging outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. After the season, the Mets fired manager Terry Collins, pitching coach Dan Warthen and head athletic trainer Ray Ramirez.

Cleveland pitching coach Mickey Callaway took over as New York's manager and Dave Eiland as pitching coach.

Jim Cavallini's hiring as the Mets' director of performance and sports science was announced Tuesday.

He had spent eight years with the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, most recently as its director of performance at Fort Bragg, N.C.

Syndergaard was limited to seven starts and 301/3 innings last year, when he refused a medical scan and then tore the latissimus dorsi behind his right arm on April 30. He had bulked up the previous offseason.

"That became kind of the signature for the entire 2017 season. So, yeah, it had an impact. It wasn't the only factor," Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said. "We needed to take a new look at how we were handling all of those injuries. And it's not just the number of injuries, it's how quickly players are coming back."

David Wright, the Mets' 35-year-old captain and third baseman, remains a health concern.

Blue Jays: Outfielder Curtis Granderson finalized a $5 million, one-year contract with Toronto. Granderson, 36, split last season between the Mets and Dodgers, hitting .212 with 26 home runs in 527 plate appearances.

Giants: Center fielder Austin Jackson agreed to a $6 million, two-year contract with San Francisco. Jackson, who turns 31 on Feb, 1, was limited by injuries to 85 games for Cleveland last season.

Media: ESPN announced Tuesday that Alex Rodriguez is joining its crew as an analyst for "Sunday Night Baseball." He will continue as a studio analyst for Fox Sports in the postseason. Rodriguez fills the ESPN spot held last season by Aaron Boone, hired last month to manage the Yankees.