Vic Sage wrote: regarding payroll, i think our ownership doesn't get the benefit of the doubt that they'd put any savings back into the team rather than their pocket (or to service their debts). Look at all the deals they've just made... we received NO real prospects, just payroll relief and a shitload of hard throwing right-handed RPs with minimal success in the minors to date. If we wanted actual prospects, we would've picked up some of the salary of our outgoing guys. But no, they just wanted to save the cash. And there's no indication that they'll be willing to spend next year at this year's levels. Spot on. I recall Sandy saying the went a little over payroll this year and the fire sale was a way of giving it back to the owner. My guess is the Mets might be painfull frugal this off season.