Players' union paying attention to Mets' payroll

Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Calling the New York Mets a "marquee franchise," new players' union head Tony Clark is paying attention to the team's payroll.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said he expects the team's payroll to be between $85 million and $88 million this season, which would be a slight decrease from its $90.9 million final figure last year.

Despite the additions of free agents Curtis Granderson, Bartolo Colon and Chris Young, the Mets have a payroll resembling that of a mid-market franchise. The Los Angeles Dodgers' payroll is over $225 million and the New York Yankees will top $200 million.

"Any time there are concerns or issues with any club related to certain habits or trends, we pay attention to it," Clark said after speaking with Mets players Tuesday during his tour of the 30 spring training camps. "New York is no different than any other club, from the standpoint of appreciating what's paid in payroll and how clubs may be functioning in general, related to improving the group they have on the field."

More Mets: Curtis Granderson hit two home runs and Zack Wheeler pitched three scoreless innings in a 6-2 victory over Houston. Granderson hit a two-run shot in the first and added a solo drive in the second. Wheeler struck out three and gave up two hits. He threw 40 pitches in his spring debut. Travis d'Arnaud got two hits for the Mets and Chris Young doubled and scored.

Yankees: Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez has rejoined the team as a minor-league spring training pitching instructor. He will be at the team's minor-league complex for the next few weeks.

Tigers: Ian Kinsler says an ESPN The Magazine story about him was "written for drama" and he says some critical comments attributed to him about the Rangers were taken out of context. In the ESPN story, Kinsler was quoted as saying he hopes his former team goes 0-162 this year. He also was quoted as calling Rangers general manager Jon Daniels a "sleazeball." Also, Andy Dirks is expected to miss three months due to a back problem that requires surgery.

Orioles: Two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana has agreed to a minor-league contract as he tries to come back from the second major operation on his left shoulder.

Red Sox: Right-hander Clay Buchholz made his Grapefruit League debut for Boston, going one inning, giving up a run on three hits and a walk with one strikeout in the team's 8-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.

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Players' union paying attention to Mets' payroll