A powerful New York Mets star player who was declared not for sale has finally been sold for unresisting currency worth billions of…
Since acquiring the Mets for $2.4 billion in 2020, Steve Cohen has been a disruptive force in Major League Baseball, spending money on players left and right. His eagerness to disburse funds at a rate that will result in an unprecedented payroll this year has enraged other owners.
Cohen doesn’t appear to give a damn about what his peers think. Rather, he has pushed them to satisfy the expectations of their followers.
In an interview with ESPN, Cohen stated, “I’ve heard what everyone else has heard: that they’re not happy with me.” People who are perhaps more impartial have told me that they are receiving a lot of criticism from their followers. You’re staring at the wrong person, which is how I kind of interpret that. It’s being placed on me. Perhaps they should examine themselves more closely.
“I have no control over how other teams manage their organizations. Actually, I’m not. That is not my responsibility. In baseball, there are differences as well. We are aware of that. I abide by the guidelines. I abide by the regulations that they have established.
On October 9, 2022, during Game 3 of the wild-card playoff round against the Padres, Mets owner Steve Cohen was present.
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On October 9, 2022, during Game 3 of the wild-card playoff round against the Padres, Mets owner Steve Cohen was present. New York Post/Charles Wenzelberg
Baseball Prospectus’ Cot’s Contracts indicates that the Mets are now expected to have a record payroll of $369.9 million. Furthermore, according to ESPN, the Mets would have to pay $98.6 million in luxury taxes, meaning Cohen’s entire 2023 season tab will come to roughly $468.5 million.
The Mets have signed free agents Brandon Nimmo for eight years at a cost of $162 million; Edwin Diaz for five years at a cost of $102 million; Justin Verlander for two years at a cost of $86.6 million; Kodai Senga for five years at a cost of $75 million; Jose Quintana for two years at a cost of $26 million; Omar Narvaez for two years at a cost of $15 million; Adam Ottavino for two years at a cost of $14.5 million; and David Robertson for one year at a cost of $10 million. On January 27, they also granted Jeff McNeil a $50 million, four-year deal.
Cohen was also open to offering Carlos Correa a $315 million, 12-year contract, but the deal fell through due to worries about Correa’s surgically repaired ankle.
Justin Verlander at a news conference following his free agency signing by the Mets on December 20, 2022.
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Justin Verlander at a news conference following his free agency signing by the Mets on December 20, 2022. New York Post/Charles Wenzelberg
After being re-signed by the Mets on December 15, 2022, Brandon Nimmo and his wife Chelsea.
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After being re-signed by the Mets on December 15, 2022, Brandon Nimmo and his wife Chelsea. New York Post/Charles Wenzelberg
Francisco Lindor received a 10-year, $341 million agreement from the Mets prior to the 2021 season, and Max Scherzer and Starling Marte also received large sums of money (two years, $86.6 million and four years, $78 million, respectively).
Cohen said to ESPN, “I didn’t know I was going to have to spend like I did.” In that sense, I must admit that I was a little ignorant. However, even after I settled in and understood what it would take to field a fantastic club, I still had a promise to baseball and the fans that I would take over and make things right. I said when I arrived, “I’m in.” And I honor my promise.
Since he was already going to be spending a lot, Cohen claimed he doesn’t consider the “Cohen Tax,” or the fourth tax level of $293 million, as a “big deal.”
It’s like to the government hiking taxes, then. In the interview, Cohen stated, “You’re already in a high bracket.” “My primary concern is generating revenue.” Problems are resolved if I earn money. When the payroll reaches the point when I’m done paying taxes, that would be fantastic. That is the objective. We ought to be able to achieve it if we carry out our duties, create a farming system, and start a great, sustainable pipeline.
