IRS Complicates Darryl Strawberry Divorce Settlement

According to court docs, Darryl has an arrangement with the Mets, in which the ball club pays him $8,891 a month as delayed compensation for his time with the team.

According to the docs, Strawberry had earmarked $800,000 of the money specifically for his ex Charisse Strawberry as part of their divorce settlement agreement. But turns out, Darryl also allegedly owes the IRS $472,086, which creates a big problem ... who gets paid first?

Charisse had sued Darryl and the Mets earlier last year, demanding they fork over the $800,000 -- but the Mets refused, insisting its hands were tied ... because when it comes to debtors, the IRS always gets its money before anyone else.

Charisse and the Mets finally agreed last month to let the IRS take its cut first -- but since the Mets are only doling out $8,891 a month in Darryl's name ... it'll be at least until 2016 before Charisse sees a penny.