PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- After his annual presentation to Mets players on Sunday morning, union chief Tony Clark offered no objection to the Mets' "voluntary" offseason workouts in an interview with New York media. Clark, an ex-Met, also declined to criticize the team's payroll.

Union officials had said earlier this winter that they were looking into the players being charged to work out in Port St. Lucie. But Clark said Sunday that no issue exists. He added that there are no complaints from players about whether they feel they would be penalized for not attending the "voluntary" camps.

Adam Rubin

Union chief Tony Clark

"Guys can make a decision against the services that are provided," Clark said. "It is our understanding that things ended up going well, that there weren't any issues that resonated as a result of the guys being able to come in. But we will continue to monitor what is being done, not just by New York, but by any club."

Asked if there is any concern that reporting on time for spring training may now be considered late, Clark added: "There are always concerns when voluntary doesn't seem like voluntary. And those, like I said, we pay attention to. To the extent that players were ever adversely affected as a result of options that were given them, I can't say that is the case at this point in time."

Clark was accompanied by union deputies including Dave Winfield and Bobby Bonilla during Sunday's visit.

As for the Mets' payroll, which actually has risen to $100 million barring a trade of Dillon Gee, Clark declined to specifically criticize the club.

"To the extent the club has a plan and is functioning according to that plan -- depending on what those considerations are and how they manifest themselves with respect to the payroll and the play on the field -- we will interject ourselves where we're necessary," Clark said. "But rest assured, whether it's New York or anywhere else, we watch very closely what is happening and oftentimes have conversations that don't end up on the front page, but are happening behind the scenes for us to understand and appreciate what's going on."

Asked if those conversations have taken place with the Mets, Clark responded: "Any team that has a situation where there is a concern, we will have a conversation. I'm not going to speak to any one particular team or any one particular conversation."

On the hiring of former Mets GM Omar Minaya for a union role earlier this winter, Clark said: "We were looking for additional support in the area of international as well as baseball ops and player development. And for those of you who know Omar, that's right up his alley. So he's providing us support in a few different areas that will invariably help the players as we sit down and discuss any number of issues tied to all three moving forward."