Mets Fred Wilpon.jpg

Mets owner Fred Wilpon has a new power position in Major League Baseball.

(John Munson/The Star-Ledger)

Incoming Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred did some reshuffling during last week's owners meetings and Mets owner Fred Wilpon has a new responsibility.

Wilpon is now the head of the finance committee. Manfred's appointment was effective as of the owners meetings, so Wilpon is already in his new position.

The New York Daily News was the first to report the move.

Wilpon had been on the executive council but that was an appointment made by outgoing commissioner Bud Selig.

Selig has been a constant supporter of Wilpon despite the owner's tumultuous last few years as the Mets owner. Wilpon, along with co-owner Saul Katz, was caught up in the Bernie Madoff scandal with the men responsible for paying back millions of dollars — approximately $76 million by last count. All the while, the Mets' payroll has dropped from $149 million in 2009 to $85 million in 2014, according to Cots Contracts.

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Mike Vorkunov may be reached at mvorkunov@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Mike_Vorkunov. Find NJ.com Mets on Facebook.