The Mets have signed Alex Cora, Oliver Perez, Tim Redding, and Francisco Rodriguez to major league deals this off-season.
The Rays have signed Pat Burrell, Brian Shouse, Joe Nelson, Lance Cormier, and Gabe Kapler to major league deals this off-season.
For the Mets, that would be a utility infielder, two starting pitchers, and the best closer available on the free agent market.
For the Rays, that would be their new DH, a LOOGY, two middle relief types, and a platoon outfielder.
The Mets contracts annual averages combine for 29 mil next year.
The Rays contracts annual averages combine for 11 mil next year.
Over the last three years, the Mets players have averaged a combined 4.5 wins.
Over the last three years, the Rays players have averaged a combined 3.9 wins.
On this market, the difference between 4.5 wins and 3.9 wins should be ~3 million.
The Mets are paying quite a bit more than that, and getting slightly more production than the Rays.
For the Mets, that would be a utility infielder, two starting pitchers, and the best closer available on the free agent market.
For the Rays, that would be their new DH, a LOOGY, two middle relief types, and a platoon outfielder.