We’ve all heard the narrative plenty: the New York Mets are cheap.
Well, maybe in some ways they are. They rarely go after an abundance of quality yet expensive players. Instead, they hunt for bargains more routinely than they should.
However, since 2003, the Mets have been willing to hand out big contracts. Six times they have employed the highest salaried player in the National League.
Paying someone the most doesn’t always equal success. Mo Vaughn’s $17.16 million salary in 2003 is the best example of this. Things did get better in 2008 when Carlos Beltran took home the prize as the league’s highest salaried player at $18.