Report: Mets owner 'irate' at Yankees acquiring Stanton
With the New York Yankees continuing to flex their payroll power over their Subway Series rivals, New York Mets owner Fred Wilpon was reportedly "irate" at Giancarlo Stanton heading to the Bronx, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post.
"Fred is pissed every time the Yankees make a move," a source told Puma, adding, "he always seems surprised."
Wilpon has been the Mets' principle owner since 2002, but has owned at least one percent of the club since 1980.
While the Mets have a notoriously frugal front office, the Yankees paid $15.7 million in luxury tax last season - second-most in the majors. The Yankees took on $265 million remaining from the Miami Marlins on Stanton's contract.
"(Wilpon) keeps saying the Yankees can't keep this model up," the source said.
Heading into 2018, the Yankees have paid the luxury tax for 15 consecutive seasons. Meanwhile, the Mets' committed payroll for next season sits at $76.5 million with options and arbitration projections pushing that to $127.7 million.