The Mets are ready to pay massive taxes in 2023

The New York Mets lost Jacob deGrom, Taijuan Walker and Chris Bassitt in free agency.

The first two have already signed free agent deals elsewhere: deGrom will pitch in Texas and Walker will go to Philadelphia; while Bassitt is highly unlikely to return.

Yet despite losing so much talent, the Mets have done a good job of rounding out their rotation.

They signed reigning AL Cy Young Cy Younger Justin Verlander to a two-year, $86 million deal this week and added left-hander Jose Quintana on Wednesday, paying $26 million over two seasons.

Their rotation is now as follows: Max Scherzer, Verlander, Carlos Carrasco, Quintana, David Peterson, Tylor Megill and Joey Lucchesi.

One more quality arm and the pitching staff of the Mets would materialize.

Recent signings have pushed the Mets past the CBT (competitive balance tax) threshold.

The Mets have passed Steve Cohen’s tax and they’re okay with it

Jeff Passan explains the situation and how much they have to pay in taxes if they call it in the off-season (which they probably won’t).

“Currently the Mets CBT payroll is ~$298 million. With the signing of José Quintana, they are now over the Steve Cohen tax threshold, and every dollar they spend is taxed at 90%. If they stop spending today, their total tax bill would be ~$34 million. But they don’t stop,” he tweeted.

Currently, the Mets’ CBT payroll is ~$298 million. With the signing of José Quintana, they are now over the Steve Cohen tax threshold, and every dollar they spend is taxed at 90%. If they stop spending today, their total tax bill would be ~$34 million. But they don’t stop.

—Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 7, 2022

The so-called “Steve Cohen Tax Threshold” referred to by Passan is the new fourth level of the CBT, with $60 million above base.

Cohen has clearly shown that he is not afraid of any tax, crossing all thresholds and seeking more.

The Mets aren’t done: They’d love to add another pitcher and re-sign Brandon Nimmo.

Money obviously isn’t an obstacle for Cohen and the Mets.