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New York Mets Rumors: Is Manny Machado a Possibility for the New York Mets?

By Dylan Smith

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 05: Manny Machado #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts to his two run homerun behind Anibal Sanchez #19 of the Atlanta Braves to take a 2-0 lead during the first inning in Game Two of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 5, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 05: Manny Machado #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts to his two run homerun behind Anibal Sanchez #19 of the Atlanta Braves to take a 2-0 lead during the first inning in Game Two of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 5, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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New York Mets rumors
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 18: Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Manny Machado (8) at bat during a MLB game between the Colorado Rockies and the Los Angeles Dodgers on September 18, 2018 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Is Manny Machado a reasonable possibility for the New York Mets?

The optimistic side of me wants to say yes, but the team lacks the track record of doing what needs to be done to win baseball games. The Amazins’ have the opportunity to shape their immediate future. Manny Machado could have a Mike Piazza/Yoenis Cespedes type of impact on the club. Another good comp would be when Frank Cashen brought in Keith Hernandez and Gary Carter to be the veteran presence on the Mets’ young 80’s teams. These two were key parts in the club’s 1986 World Series Championship.

In the end, it all comes down to the Mets’ lack of money and their unwillingness to spend it.

The Mets only have $92.5 million on the books for 2019, before arbitration raises kick in, and only $58 million guaranteed for 2020. They will also not have to dish out contracts to their young players until 2020 at the earliest.

The Mets should have the money to be a contender for a big name free agent, but there is always a question mark around the amount of money that the team has to spend. The Wilpon’s financial struggles have been well documented and it is holding the club back.

This is a shame because there is not a good reason for the Mets to not have a top-five payroll. New York is one of the biggest markets in the country. Signing Machado will help the New York Mets capitalize on their market, a skill that the Yankees have seemed to master. A better team will lead to more tickets sold and more overall spotlight. This will result in more money coming back to the owners. This risk could result in a big reward. Management needs to capitalize on their current roster and the arbitration process before their stars become eligible for free agency.

The Mets will have insurance money coming back from the contracts of David Wright and Yoenis Cespedes. This should go a long way in opening up room to sign Machado. He has made it clear that he wants to come to New York (even though the Yankees may be his first choice), but the chance to be the face of a franchise may be enough to entice him. He could take the torch from Wright and be the Mets new All-Star third baseman.

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