Photo by MMO’s Ed Delany
Steve Cohen arrived at Mets spring training on Sunday–the day when all 40-man roster players must report to camp. Cohen talked to the media for the first time since before the lockout, and he tripled down on his commitment to doing what he can to help the Mets win. That includes not limiting the team financially this upcoming season.
In the recently agreed-upon collective bargaining agreement, there was a fourth penalty threshold implemented for teams that have more than $290 million in competitive balance tax commitments. The new threshold was dubbed the “Steve Cohen tax” based on the Mets owner’s net worth and commitment to spending on players.
“It’s better than having a bridge named after you,” Cohen quipped.
But he also said the tax isn’t a limit for the team this year, and the Mets are willing to cross the $290 threshold in the name of improving the team.
“I don’t feel like it’s so confining that I can’t live with it,” he said of the tax. While Cohen clarified the team will be “careful,” the team still has “a few more moves” to make. Looking at the areas of need for the Mets, that may come in signing guys for the bullpen and bench.
After the Chris Bassitt trade Saturday night (Cohen said the Mets have a “really powerful top three” in their rotation now), the Mets have an estimated $274.1 million in competitive balance tax commitments, according to Spotrac. (Their tax penalty bill sits around $13 million.) That leaves them around $16 million shy of the Steve Cohen tax threshold.
While it’s not a guarantee they’ll spend another $16 million before the season starts (a team always wants wiggle room before the season starts when it comes to the CBT), Mets fans are happy to hear Cohen and the Mets aren’t limiting themselves to league-minimum deals and minor-league signings to improve the depth of the team.
As he’s said since he bought, Cohen once again clarified Sunday: “I’m committed to winning.”
