Strawberry and Mets give the silent treatment

Bob Klapisch at North Jersey writes about the problem with Darryl Strawberry and the Mets:

Darryl Strawberry and the Mets are no longer on speaking terms, because of a dispute over payment of his deferred salaries, according to a person familiar with the situation. A recent break-off in negotiations led to Strawberry's decision to boycott the 1986 reunion at Shea Stadium on Aug. 19.

The former right fielder was asking the Mets, as a favor, to pay in full the estimated $1.4 million he's owed for the next 10 years. The bulk of those monies would go to satisfying Strawberry's remaining debt to the IRS.

The Mets, however, are willing to pay only the present-day value of the compensation, which is closer to $800,000.

To pay the full amount without deferral, "is like charity" said one member of the Met hierarchy. "We love Darryl, we've tried to help him out, but we're not in the business of giving money away."

Strawberry's association with the Mets already was compromised this season when he chose to attend the Yankees' Old-Timers' Game. At the time, however, he was hopeful of participating in the '86 reunion at Shea.