NEW YORK -- Analysis of the Mets' payroll tends to center on the dollar figure itself, a big-market team nestled near the middle of the league. But it is worth noting that the way in which the Mets are allocating that money is changing, and will continue to do so as their young starting rotation matures.
Nine Mets filed for arbitration earlier this week, four of whom exchanged salary figures with the club on Friday. The other five agreed to new non-guaranteed one-year deals, including starting pitcher Matt Harvey, who will make $4.325 million -- approximately seven times what he earned last season.