Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized
New York Mets owner Steve Cohen talked to Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman of the New York Post recently on topics ranging from the World Baseball Classic to a potential extension for slugger Pete Alonso.
Cohen Likes the WBC
Cohen replied to one of my tweets about the atmosphere during a WBC in Taiwan asking if the game took place in Japan. Less than a week later, Cohen was in Japan watching Samurai Japan play Italy in the quarterfinals. Cohen said that he was traveling to Japan anyway for a Point72 business trip and thought it would be a good opportunity to take his daughters to a baseball game.
Despite the Mets losing star closer Edwin Diaz for likely the season because of a freak accident during the WBC, Cohen has remained a big-time supporter of the event. “I thought the event was incredible if you look at the quality of the games and the excitement. It’s unfortunate what happened to Edwin (Díaz) and Altuve (José), but I guess that’s what is going to happen when you play baseball, folks get injured.”
Díaz Insurance Money Could Help at Deadline
Insurance will reimburse the Mets for the entirety of Díaz’s salary when he is on the injured list recovering from knee surgery and that could help the team at the deadline.
“Everyone has their limits. Saying that, if we get to the deadline and we are right in there, obviously we’re getting a rebate on Edwin’s salary for the year and that should help. That gives us a little more room to play around.”
Cohen Not Worried About Other Owners
There was some talk of owners being upset about Cohen’s spending this offseason as the Mets filled their needs via free agency, but that didn’t stop Cohen from attending the owners meetings and having dinner with the group.
“I’m developing good relationships with the owners…We don’t have to agree on everything. I’m not going to agree with them on some things and they aren’t going to agree with me on other things.”
Cohen’s Decision to Not Sign Correa
The Carlos Correa saga felt like it dragged out forever, but ultimately, it was Steve Cohen that decided signing the star infielder wasn’t worth the risk.
“I have a good relationship with Scott (Boras)…We did our best to try and figure out a way to make it work, and I just personally came to the conclusion that I couldn’t make it work…I decided that this was a risk I didn’t feel like taking.”
Alonso Extension?
Before Jeff McNeil signed his extension with the Mets, first baseman Pete Alonso was on the minds of fans and that has only increased with McNeil getting a deal done.
“If there’s a deal to be made it will be made at the right time…It comes down to, at the right time, we will probably sit down and have those conversations.”
