Steve Cohen is irate at Steven Matz and his agent after spurning the Mets to sign a four-year, $44 million contract with the St. Louis Cardinals.
The signing, announced last night after midnight, was unpleasant news for the Mets owner to wake up to.
I’m not happy this morning . I’ve never seen such unprofessional behavior exhibited by a player’s agent.I guess words and promises don’t matter.
— Steven Cohen (@StevenACohen2) November 24, 2021
MLB Network insider Jon Heyman added more context to Cohen’s frustration.
Mets are upset about the Matz situation and his last minute call to Cardinals. They had the impression he was going to come back to them for a final chance. Sources say Mets would have gone to that level ($44M, 4 years) https://t.co/IQb31i6Tvu
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 24, 2021
Heyman then added that Mets GM Billy Eppler told Matz’s agent Rob Martin that he was upset as well. The Mets thought they would have a final chance and didn’t get it. Matz had a late change of heart, says Heyman.
Martin, an agent with Icon Sports, declined to comment on Cohen’s tweet initially, later releasing a statement through Ken Rosenthal.
“We are aware of Mr. Cohen’s tweet,” Martin wrote. “It’s unfortunate that he chose to take his frustrations to Twitter. I will not do the same, and instead will take the high road which is consistent with both my character and the character of our client. Steven Matz grew up a Mets fan, loved his time there, and continues to invest in the New York Community through his efforts supporting NY’s First Responders. As a result of all that, there was a strong pull to return to the Mets. But ultimately he made the decision he felt was best for him and his family. Steven is and always will be grateful to the Mets and Mets fans, but he now looks forward to his next chapter with the tremendous franchise in St. Louis.”
The Mets were willing to match contracts and it comes as another early free agent whiff for the franchise. Matz is by no means the crown jewel of this year’s free-agent crop but a southpaw with an improved defense behind could have led to success in his second stint at Citi Field.
