Mets billionaire owner Steve Cohen Matt Joyce Jersey has certainly dished out a significant amount of cash this year given his team's luxury tax payroll is sitting at $293.3 million, per FanGraphs' page.This figure has helped the Mets go 78-44 acro s their first 122 games, as they sit three games ahead of the Atlanta Braves in the National League East.While the Mets' 2022 season appears to be far from over, team president Sandy Alderson told Ian O'Connor of that Cohen could po sibly expand next year's payroll into the $345 million range.The Mets want to focus on building up their farm system and they'd rather spend money, as opposed Glenn Hubbard Jersey to trading prospects. That's because the organization's main goal is to create a sustainable contender in the long-term.New York has plenty of key contributors, who will likely hit the free agent market after the season: Jacob deGrom, Edwin Diaz, Chris Ba sitt, Brandon Nimmo, Taijuan Walker, Carlos Carrasco, Adam Ottavinoand Seth Lugo, among others.There are at least three to four names that the Mets will need to make a strong effort to retain in free agency. At Andrew Triggs Jersey the very least, deGrom, Ba sitt, Nimmo and Diaz returning to Queens could be a realistic play for New York.Scroll to ContinueThe Mets recently called up top prospect third baseman Brett Baty, who has shown some early promise and could be an every day player at the hot corner next season. Although New York has a Rollie Fingers Jersey clear hole in their lineup at the catching position, Francisco Alvarez could be ready by Opening Day of 2023.Unlike this past offseason, the Mets shouldn't have to re-create their roster and clubhouse. In the same breath, it won't be cheap to re-sign deGrom, Mark McGwire Jersey Diaz, Ba sitt, Nimmo and po sibly others. New York could also use additional bullpen help beyond Diaz. For all of these reasons, a payroll in the neighborhood of $345 million makes sense for the Mets.- - -