The Mets’ MLB-record payroll last season was $374.7 million, as calculated by the commissioner’s office.

All indications are the team won’t approach that figure in 2024, but it remains likely the Mets will carry a payroll in the $300 million neighborhood (as calculated for luxury-tax purposes) that would still rank first, second or third in the major leagues. The Mets’ luxury tax bill for 2023, the Associated Press reported last weekend, was $100.7 million.

The Mets have been trimming the fat this winter. Below is a crude breakdown, by position, of how the team has saved money to this point in the offseason.

First base
2023: $14.5 million
2024: $22 million (projected)