With the 2010 seemly over for the Mets, it's time to look to the 2011 season and who will be coming off the books.
Jeff Francoeur ~ 2010 salary $5M: He seems to be a fan favorite, but that doesn't make you a major league ball player. Francoeur has shown signs of improvement at the plate and has a great arm in right field, but I just don't see him having a place on this team in 2011.
John Maine ~ 2010 salary $3.3M: After five seasons with the Mets his tenure in New York is almost definitely over. He blew out his shoulder this season for the Mets and his career could possibly be over. Hopefully he makes a recovery and is able to catch on somewhere else though.
Pedro Feliciano ~ 2010 salary $2.9M: He is a free agent at the end of the season and it's still uncertain if the Mets will bring him back. Feliciano has been with the team for eight years and has been one of the best non-closer relief pitchers in Mets history. The price tag for him might be a bit much, but I have a feeling the Mets will bring him back.
Alex Cora ~ 2010 salary $1.85M: After signing a one year deal the Mets released Cora before his second year option could vest. It was a smart move for the Mets business wise, but they lost an important player in the clubhouse. If Cora chooses to retire, the Mets might be interested in bringing him back in a coaching role. But I think Cora wants to play for a few more season before he goes down that path. The Mets aren't completely done paying Core though. They will owe him $.15M in 2011.
Fernando Tatis ~ 2010 salary $.85M: After the Mets lost Tatis for the season with a shoulder injury, it's very, very unlikely they will bring him back. The Mets have Mike Hessman on the team now, who can do just what Tatis did, but better. King Fernando did have some nice moments for the Mets, and for that we thank him.
Henry Blanco ~ 2010 salary $.75M: He signed a one year deal in the offseason and it doesn't look like the Mets will bring him back. Josh Thole will be the starting catcher in 2011 and the back-up catcher will either me Omir Santos or some other free agent.
J.J. Putz ~ 2010 salary $1M: The Mets had to buyout the final year on Putz contract, which was $1M. After this season they will be completely free of Putz.
Total ~ $15.65M: That really isn't a lot of money coming off the books for the Mets. I don't expect the Mets to be in the market for any of the top free agents in 2011. The Mets do have a ton of money getting freed up after 2011 with Carlos Beltran's, Oliver Perez's, Luis Castillo's and possibly Francisco Rodriguez's contracts expiring. With the current finical state of the Mets, I don't expect them to bring in anyone with a big contract until that time.
Just one problem, between Johan Santana, Jose Reyes, David Wright, and Jason Bay, their payroll will increase by another $18 million, off-setting the expiring contracts.