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Jeff Wilpon uses Yoenis Cespedes as Mets’ excuse to pass on Harper, Machado

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Jeff Wilpon and Bryce Harper Paul J. Bereswill; AP

Spring training starts in less than a month, and two of the most attractive free agents in baseball history (Bryce Harper, Manny Machado) still don’t know where they will play this upcoming season.

Neither will end up with the Mets.

How could a team in the country’s biggest market — in a sport without a salary cap — not be able to afford it?

“I don’t know how many teams have two $30 million players,” Mets COO Jeff Wilpon, referring to Yoenis Cespedes, said at a lunch with Mets beat writers while explaining why the team won’t pursue Harper or Machado.