10 Better Ways the Mets Could Have Spent $162 Million

In a year of huge free agents and trades, the New York Mets had a relatively quiet offseason, acquiring no superstars and losing their offensive catalyst.

Why?

The Wilpons have almost no money to spend due to their Ponzi Scheme lawsuit that resulted in them losing $162 million to a victim's fund.

So as us Mets fans sit back for another long year with the Wilpons at the helm, let's take a look at 10 other ways the Mets could have better spent $162 million.

Keep Jose Reyes

The 2011 NL batting champion and catalyst for the New York Mets last season, Jose Reyes, fled to division foe Miami this offseason due to the Wilpons' inability to afford the money he demanded.

While Reyes' price may have been a little high for most teams, there is no denying that Reyes is the best leadoff hitter in baseball, and his combination of speed and contact hitting are a deadly weapon that the Mets should have overspent on.

Bid on Yu Darvish

With a 2012 rotation led by an aching veteran coming off surgery and a knuckleballer, the Mets certainly could have used the services of Japanese phenom Yu Darvish.

Although he would have cost $50 million just to negotiate with (the Rangers won his rights), a tall, hard-throwing pitcher with a 1.88 career ERA in Japan is exactly the type of free agent the Mets of the past would have sought out when they had the money.

Trade Jason Bay

Although he's had some bad years in New York, Jason Bay is still a serviceable everyday outfielder that could thrive in a different environment.

The major problem with moving Bay, though, is his $13 million annual salary.

If the Mets were $162 million richer, it would have been much easier to cover the cost of Bay's 2012 salary in a trade, but due to the poor economic circumstances, the Mets will once again watch Bay struggle adapting to Citi Field.

Give $298.01 to Every Fan Who 'Likes' Them on Facebook

Even if the Mets did have $162 million, would this ever happen?

Of course not.

But it's still fun to see what $162 million divided by 543,606 Facebook fans would equate to.  

Sign Free Agent CJ Wilson

Five years and $77.5 million...we could have signed CJ Wilson twice!

Hands down the best left-handed pitcher available on the market this year, CJ Wilson took his talents to Los Angeles after the Mets failed to make a strong move to acquire the southpaw.

The two-headed monster of Johan Santana and Wilson would have been scary for any team to face, but Mets fans will be stuck dreaming about that.

Get Better Bullpen Help

Excited for a closer that won't even pick off to first base? Me neither.

If you thought K-Rod was painful to watch, just wait until the Frank Francisco show makes its way to the Big Apple in 2012.

Francisco was the highest paid free agent this offseason that the Mets signed at $6 million, and he's about unproven as a closer could get. With less than 20 saves in 2011, it will be tough for fans to feel confident when he enters the game.

Sign a Fifth Starter and Let Pelfrey Leave

At $5.68 million, Mike Pelfrey is quite the expensive No. 5 starter.

So far in 2012, Mike Pelfrey has struggled mightily, continuing his 2011 trend.

While he will probably log close to 200 innings (a question mark for any other starter in the rotation), it will likely come with a 4.5 ERA or higher and a .500 winning percentage at best.

With so many pitchers available on the market, the Mets should have looked elsewhere for another starter.

Give Away $1 Million for Every Game This Season

Whether they wanted to do a lucky fan raffle for every game or donate all the money to various charities, what Met fan wouldn't rather see the lives of others improve rather than watch all $162 million go on down the drain?

This could be a painful 162-game season if the Mets don't get healthy and the rest of the NL East lives up to its potential. A million dollars seems about appropriate for fans if they are going to put up with Wilpon.

Sign Mark Buehrle

Speaking of the NL East rapidly improving, the Miami Marlins also took another great left-handed pitcher off the market when they signed Mark Buehrle.

He's not overpowering and he's getting older, but he's a World Series champion and has thrown a no-hitter. He also would be a near guarantee to log 200 innings, which the Mets could certainly use a lot of.

Trade for Gio Gonzalez

Washington also took another one of the best lefties available in 2012, this time by trading to the Oakland A's for power pitcher Gio Gonzalez.

An All-Star and flame-thrower, Gonzalez would bring the velocity to the rotation that the Mets are desperately missing.

Think about having Gio Gonzalez instead of Mike Pelfrey.

Now open your eyes. Get ready for a 2012 with the Wilpons.