Mets owner Steve Cohen has never been shy or hesitant to ruffle feathers – It’s one of the main reasons why he is the richest owner in all of baseball, and one of the richest in all of sports.
MLB is a league without a salary cap – and unlike several of his fellow owners, Cohen has zero problem spending money.
In a rare one-on-one interview, Cohen explained to ESPN that he is going to spend whatever is necessary to put the best team on the field – and he has no patience for any owner who doesn’t share his attitude…
"I'm going to do it my way."
Exclusive at ESPN+: A 1-on-1 conversation with New York Mets owner Steve Cohen, who talks about the team's record payroll, why other owners need to look in the mirror and what's next for the most fascinating team in baseball. https://t.co/pE9jZFR7FF pic.twitter.com/BIiwWrny28
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 6, 2023
Cohen has talked a big game since purchasing the Mets – and no one can accuse him of not putting his money where his mouth is.
The Mets enter the 2023 season with a projected total payroll of $468.5 million – by far the most in baseball…
Steve Cohen on complaints from other MLB owners about his spending in a ESPN interview
“I kind of look at that like, you're looking at the wrong person. They're putting it on me. Maybe they need to look more at themselves.”
The Mets Payroll is projected to be $468.5 million pic.twitter.com/rGZPxpIPF2
— Barstool Baseball (@StoolBaseball) February 6, 2023
And to think, that’s not even including the 12 year $315 million contract Cohen was going to happily give Carlos Correa before concerns about his ankle scrapped the deal.
One thing is for sure – Cohen does not feel the least bit guilty for indirectly putting pressure on other owners to wake up and realize they are in the big leagues, and should spend like it.
“I’ve heard what everyone else has heard: that they’re not happy with me. I hear things from people who are maybe more neutral – that they’re taking a lot of heat from their fans. I kind of look at that like, you’re looking at the wrong person. They’re putting it on me. Maybe they need to look more at themselves.
“I’m not responsible for how other teams run their clubs. I’m really not. That’s not my job. And there are disparities in baseball. We know that to be true. I’m following the rules. They set the rules down, I’m following them.”
Steve Cohen telling MLB owners to look in the mirror is exactly what I’d expect him to say
To say I love this man is an understatement. #LGM pic.twitter.com/2cY42Gth5j
— Tyler (@WardyNYM) February 6, 2023
Every fan wishes their owner had this attitude.
Cohen is certainly a breath of fresh air for Met fans who suffered under their notoriously cheap previous owners, the Wilpons, before Cohen purchased the team from them in 2020.
Although he has no hardware quite yet, no one can doubt Cohen’s determination and hunger for greatness…
“I came in saying I’m all-in. And I keep my word.” #LGM
~ Steve Cohen (@StevenACohen2) told @ESPN. pic.twitter.com/CMlnQAGXSM
— GENY Mets Report (@genymets) February 6, 2023
One of the sad realities in baseball is several (very wealthy) owners refuse to invest money in their team – which is why we enter every season with a third of the league having virtually no chance to make the playoffs, let alone truly contend for the World Series.
There are currently 11 teams with a total payroll under $100 million.
The below tweet features numbers from last year, but check out the bottom 3 payrolls – then check out how much the owners of those teams are worth…
Guardians – owned by the Dolan family who are worth 4.6 Billion
Pirates – owned by Robert Nutting who is worth 1.1 Billion
Orioles – owned by Peter Angelos who is worth 2 Billion
All of these teams can afford to pay for their players, they choose not to. https://t.co/Xj2cFE14XH
— Dylan (@Dylan_716) March 23, 2022
With superstar phenom Shohei Ohtani expected to command a record-breaking contract when he becomes a free agent next year, its safe to say Cohen will be right in the thick of things once again…
“The Mets will make Ohtani the best-paid player in the history of sports — whether he plays for the Mets or not — because the offer will be insane. And if someone else wants to beat it go ahead.” ~ A #Mets person told @JonHeyman.
What do you think Cohen offers Shohei? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/VkNRL7bOjA
— IG: MetsElite (@metselite) January 31, 2023