New York Mets owner Steve Cohen may not be intimidated by the Los Angeles Dodgers’ deep pockets, but he admitted they still get under his skin.
The Mets and Dodgers both pursued outfielder Kyle Tucker in free agency this offseason, with the Dodgers emerging as the winner on a four year, $240 million deal.
That acquisition in particular rankled Cohen, he told SNY.
“I actually went to bed annoyed. ‘Oh, we didn’t get him,'” he said.
Cohen’s Mets also lost star closer Edwin Diaz to the Dodgers in what he called a “perplexing” move when speaking to team broadcaster Howie Rose.
It’s not all doom and gloom for the Mets, though, as Cohen and company quickly found another high-value free agent to add shortly after losing out on Tucker.
“The agent for Bo [Bichette] had called us right after and discussions started,” he said “You never know how they’re gonna go. They moved really quickly.”
By signing Bichette, the Mets are actually in a better position than they would’ve been with Tucker, Cohen argued.
“Frankly, once it was all done, and we got Bo to come to the Mets, (I) actually feel Bo might be a better fit for the team,” said Cohen, as reported by Tim Britton for The Athletic. “So I think things worked out for the best.”
Baseball Split on Big Spenders
The Dodgers’ big spending has led to criticism by some in baseball, and the MLB, the only major North American sports league without a salary cap, could make major changes after this season.
For now, though, prominent players are standing up for the Dodgers’ willingness to spend, arguing that it’s good for the sport.
“I f—ing love it,” San Diego Padre and former Dodger Manny Machado said of the Dodgers’ spending. “Every team should be doing it. … S— is f—ing great for the game. So I think every team has the ability to do it, so I hope all 30 teams can learn from that.”
Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies echoed that sentiment.
“I love what the Dodgers do, obviously,” Harper said. “They pay the money, they spend the money. I mean, they’re a great team. They understand how to run it. They run their team like a business, and they run it the right way. They understand where they need to put their money into.”
13 Responses
As a very long time Dodgers fan, I don’t like it. It’s gaming the system at the possible/probable cost of tomorrow. But, they are playing by the rules, any team can do it so there should be no controversy about it.
Of course the players like it, especially high priced ones. They’re hoping to cash in big and don’t care if fans can’t afford $100+ ticket prices. That’s just not on their radar.
I love baseball, but don’t be surprised if one of these days there’s a collapse when every game on TV is pay per view and even radio is internet only by subscription.
Every team can’t do, maybe only 5-8 can. KC, Cincy, Pittsburgh.
Very fee franchises compare in revenue to the top 5 or so.
I echo your sentiment. The average fan is being priced out.
We need a fan union. I am generally opposed to unions, but the players have a union, and the fans need one too. We need a seat at the table. Both the players and owners don’t seem to appreciate the fans as much as they should. Can you imagine a union in which 50% or better of the fans of sports were members. The owners and players would have to listen to us.
I have been preaching this to my sports friends for many years now so if you or someone out there runs with the idea, I would like a seat on the board. If I had the time and money to organize it, I would.
Damn, I sure hope you’re wrong about no free TV or even radio.
“Frankly, once it was all done, and we got Bo to come to the Mets, (I) actually feel Bo might be a better fit for the team,” said Cohen.
What a bunch of hooey. Hope it helps you sleep better Stevie.
Yeah Steve I Understand He’s Gonna Play Third For The Mets. Which By The Way He’s Never Played Third In His Career. He Played Second Well In The World Series But Third Is A Whole Different Animal. Tucker Is Playing Right Field Where He’s Always Played. And There Should Never Be A Salary Cap In Baseball If Anything There Should Be A Minimum Teams Have To Spend Now That Would Be Good For Baseball. Bringing Other Teams Down To Other Teams Cheapskate Billionaire Owners Level Is Bad For Baseball.
MLB needs a salary floor much more than a ceiling.
We need a fan union. I am generally opposed to unions, but the players have a union, and the fans need one too. We need a seat at the table. Both the players and owners don’t seem to appreciate the fans as much as they should. Can you imagine a union in which 50% or better of the fans of sports were members. The owners and players would have to listen to us.
I have been preaching this to my sports friends for many years now so if you or someone out there runs with the idea, I would like a seat on the board. If I had the time and money to organize it, I would.
Fans already have power. They just refuse to exercise it. Just don’t buy tickets or go the tames. That will send a bigger message than somebody paid to spout off about the high prices of tickets and billionaire owners and players. Vote with your feet. Don’t go to any games for a week. If the Dodgers had a bog series and only afew thousand showed up, the message would be sent, louse and clear, especially if it was announced in advance. I am not saying Dddger fans should do this but maybe Angel or Rockies fans should so their cheap owners would realize that their team is nothing without their PAYING fans.
Fans already have power. They just refuse to exercise it. Just don’t buy tickets or go the tames. That will send a bigger message than somebody paid to spout off about the high prices of tickets and billionaire owners and players. Vote with your feet. Don’t go to any games for a week. If the Dodgers had a big series and only acfew thousand showed up, the message would be sent, louse and clear, especially if it was announced in advance. I am not saying Dodger fans should do this but maybe Angel or Rockies fans should so their cheap owners would realize that their team is nothing without their PAYING fans.
Over the past 5 years the Mets have spent more on salary than the Dodgers. Look it up.
The Dodgers obviously spend wiser!
Machado is wrong. It’s not great for baseball or the fans, but great for the players. Of course, Mr. “I’m no Johnny Hussle” would ever admit that. My issue with the Tucker signing is the $60M AAV for a slightly above average hitter. When you compare that to Shohei’s (I know, deferred blah blah blah), Tucker isn’t in the same category, yet is getting paid like Ohtani. Something wrong with that. As a lifelong fan, I’ll support the team and hope he does well, but this just means average players will demand higher salaries and AAVs, thus impacting fans more than anyone else as more will get priced out of attending games.
The copium on Cohen is awesome! The Mets are a garbage organization from top to bottom compared to the Dodgers and he knows it.
Money only fixes so much, but the personnel and operational elements will continue to lack under the mighty casino owner’s helm.
3-peat incoming in 3…2…1…