Ken Rosenthal
@Ken_Rosenthal
BREAKING: The Sterling Partners and Steve Cohen are negotiating an agreement in which Cohen would increase his investment in the #Mets, per source. Fred Wilpon will remain Control Person and CEO for five years and Jeff Wilpon will remain COO for five-year period as well.
5 more years of suffering - but as a Knicks fan, if you told me that Dolan agreed to sell most of MSG and be out in 5 years, I'd be calling people to see if anyone would give me a ride to the parade.
How typical and pathetic of the Wilpons to insist of 5 years of control on the way out. Look forward to them gutting our farm system and half-assed trying to win a world series so they can go out with some good press.
Guess I need to start eating right and working out more to make sure I'm in good health to enjoy these post-Wilpon Mets years.
I doubt the 5 years of continuing control for the Wilpons is written in stone. Why would someone take a majority interest in a business (and if it's really buying 80% more, a large majority interest), without control? I can see agreeing to have the Wilpons keep running things for now, but I can't imagine Cohen would do this deal without the ability to change things if he's unhappy with how they're managing the business. 5 years is a really long time for him to wait if they're screwing things up.
I can't imagine he doesn't have the ability to fire them in that 5 year period. They have 5 year control and can run the team into the ground and not be fired? I doubt it. I've never heard of such a thing if not.
How typical and pathetic of the Wilpons to insist of 5 years of control on the way out. Look forward to them gutting our farm system and half-assed trying to win a world series so they can go out with some good press.
Guess I need to start eating right and working out more to make sure I'm in good health to enjoy these post-Wilpon Mets years.
I was just thinking the exact same thing. They are going to try to win now more than ever. Ugh. I hope after 5 years the Mets are crippled with old, overpaid vets and no farm.
How typical and pathetic of the Wilpons to insist of 5 years of control on the way out. Look forward to them gutting our farm system and half-assed trying to win a world series so they can go out with some good press.
Guess I need to start eating right and working out more to make sure I'm in good health to enjoy these post-Wilpon Mets years.
I was just thinking the exact same thing. They are going to try to win now more than ever. Ugh. I hope after 5 years the Mets are crippled with old, overpaid vets and no farm.
3m
Part of me wonders if the Wilpons/Sterling Equities are forcing themselves to sell majority ownership in the team.
We found out a few weeks ago that they had not yet contributed a dime towards their share of the $1.3 Billion Belmont Park Arena Project.
Tim Healey
@timbhealey
1m
More info: Steve Cohen's upped stake will be a majority stake -- so he will be the Mets' owner, a source says.
After the five-year window during which the Wilpons keep their titles, Steven Cohen will be the Mets' "control person," which is basically baseball's term for owner.
Behind the scenes obviously but the Wilpons really havent meddled much since Sandy took over outside of maybe setting the payroll number.
I doubt they are going to start running the whole front office on their way out the door even if it is 5 years away.
And maybe the Cohen money starts now, allowing them to be more aggressive in the meantime.
Lets hope.
Ken Rosenthal disagrees with you. He said the Wilpons meddle more than almost any owner in baseball and LAUGHED out loud when talking about "unique politics" behind the scenes with the Mets just a few weeks ago... he wasn't talking Trump either lol
Jeff being out after 5 years in itself is an upgrade, Nelson Doubleday warned us all.
However lets not act like Cohen inject some capital into this situation or indicate a willingness to invest in contracts going farther out.
I am mildly nervous about the relationship with SNY and how much of a share he will own of that since that is the real money maker and allegedly the Mets sell the rights to them at a very sny friendly deal.
most about Cohen from twitter writers that changes things the most is what DMM alluded to.
He will hire a baseball guy to run things. He won't be COO like Jeff.
And to the reports about "what kind of person" Cohen is. I honestly don't give a shit. If he allows baseball people to make baseball decisions and keeps himself out of the headlines - two major thumbs up and 2025 can't get here fast enough.
52m
Cohen is a hedge fund ghoul who is the basis for Damian Lewiss character on Billions. Dont assume this is actually good news until things happen
Jarrett seems like the type who hates anyone who runs a hedge fund. Personally, someone smart enough to rise to the top of that world, and who has incredibly deep pockets, is exactly who I want as an owner.
RE: I mean... there might be a few things going on
Behind the scenes obviously but the Wilpons really havent meddled much since Sandy took over outside of maybe setting the payroll number.
Come on Z, there have been a multitude of stories that implied Jeff was overly involved in every aspect of the operational side. Many have speculated that is why he hired his golfing buddy as GM.
After 33 years of mostly ineptitude, I can hold on for 5 years. And maybe knowing most of it isn't their money, they'll open the purse strings a bit.
1m
Source confirming Orioles have received four right-handed pitchers for Bundy: Isaac Mattson, Zach Peek, Kyle Bradish and Kyle Brnovich.
@Ken_Rosenthal
had trade first.
@JeffPassan
had more details.
1m
A person who is friends with the Mets' new perspective owner in five years, Steve Cohen, says Cohen "will play the game at the highest level" in regards to spending on players.
arrangement where Wang stayed on for several years before Ledecky and Malkin took full control but they started spending more money almost right away.
I would be floored if the Wilpons weren't pushed to have to make this decision because of outstanding obligations to the point where they didn't have a choice in the matter.
Cohen is no angel and probably got off very lucky on the insider trading thing but from a mets organization standpoint beggars cant be choosers unless we want to see Syndergaard in pinstripes or Philly.
arrangement where Wang stayed on for several years before Ledecky and Malkin took full control but they started spending more money almost right away.
I would be floored if the Wilpons weren't pushed to have to make this decision because of outstanding obligations to the point where they didn't have a choice in the matter.
Cohen is no angel and probably got off very lucky on the insider trading thing but from a mets organization standpoint beggars cant be choosers unless we want to see Syndergaard in pinstripes or Philly.
Clearly the 2020 payroll isn't going to go up based on this. Who knows beyond that?
before there's any impact but once the transaction becomes official hopefully we see things.
Charles Wang sold a minority interest in the Isles in 2014 with plans to fully transition ownership in 2 years (which happened in 2016).
The Islanders 2013-2014 roster was 2nd to last in the NHL and using gimmicks to just get above the cap floor like trading for players who never even played for them just to have their unpaid salary on the books. As it had been for 3+ decades.
In 2014-15 they shot up to 17th and 2015-16 they shot up to the 8th highest payroll but like almost every other team trying to compete they actually spent to the cap for the first time in decades.
The new owners weren't approved as majority owners until June 2016 so that change happened prior.
Cohen already has a vested interest in the team so I highly doubt he's going to want to see his asset jeopardized by the exiting tenant.
Who bought the Islanders before Wang?
He scammed virtually everyone he came in contact with
Spanos (?) something like that, right?
Yup John Spano. Other than not actually, you know, having money, he had some interesting plans. He was going to make mega offers on both Foresberg and Sakic as RFAs to hopefully pry 1 from the Avs.
This is the Wilpons taking out yet another mortgage
Jon Heyman @JonHeyman
Steve Cohen is said to be buying about 80 percent of the Mets at a 2.6B valuation. Word is he started with 20 percent and will go soon to a majority stake. Fred Wilpon will be the official control person for 5 years, but not hard to imagine Cohen will have a big say very soon.
I am not sure that is necessarily the case. Clearly this will be an influx of capital and it wouldnt shock me that ironing this out was a higher priority than getting wheeler signed, but who knows this could very well change trajectory in a more immediate way.
I am not sure that is necessarily the case. Clearly this will be an influx of capital and it wouldnt shock me that ironing this out was a higher priority than getting wheeler signed, but who knows this could very well change trajectory in a more immediate way.
bhill,
this sale/sale discussion didn't just pop up. They have clearly been talking for a while and yet the Mets aren't taking meetings with ANY of the top FA's. Cohen wouldn't even be on board in time to impact payroll.
They can be all encompassing. Yes you obviously have to maintain day to day operations but everything is geared towards not screwing up EBITA. Obviously little more nuanced because he owned 4% and in theory would be privy to books in a much more intimate way but would not shock me at all if they knew they were selling there was a mandate to demonstrate maximum profit.
Not saying that this will impact this offseason or not, just merely saying that having clarity regarding finances could have an immediate impact.
RE: Having been part of several corporate MA deals
They can be all encompassing. Yes you obviously have to maintain day to day operations but everything is geared towards not screwing up EBITA. Obviously little more nuanced because he owned 4% and in theory would be privy to books in a much more intimate way but would not shock me at all if they knew they were selling there was a mandate to demonstrate maximum profit.
Not saying that this will impact this offseason or not, just merely saying that having clarity regarding finances could have an immediate impact.
If we know anything about the Wilpons maximizing their valuation was likely their top priority as they were finalizing this deal. Other than Fred maintaining the appearance of "control".
RE: RE: I mean... there might be a few things going on
Behind the scenes obviously but the Wilpons really havent meddled much since Sandy took over outside of maybe setting the payroll number.
Come on Z, there have been a multitude of stories that implied Jeff was overly involved in every aspect of the operational side. Many have speculated that is why he hired his golfing buddy as GM.
After 33 years of mostly ineptitude, I can hold on for 5 years. And maybe knowing most of it isn't their money, they'll open the purse strings a bit.
Im well aware of all the dumb shit the Wilpons have done and it reached its peak during the Minaya years IMO. But the very thing people are hoping Cohen does... "let baseball people run the baseball affairs" Is the exact same thing the Wilpons made a concerted effort to do under Sandy. Outside of an off color remark about Wright once, they really haven't been in the news for some time now like they used to be. Obviously, they are still the owners and things have been happening behind the scenes but the media and fan base haven't known much about it in some time. Shecky has spoken to this too.
Hey, after the Madoff mess, its been a slippery slope getting them up to where they've been spending again but there's no doubt having the richest owner in professional sports should help. Im ecstatic.
Sounds like Cohen will own 50% starting immediately
Joel Sherman
@Joelsherman1
https://nypost.com/2019/12/04/steve-cohen-is-mets-godsend-that-should-bother-the-yankees/ In title the Wilpons have control, but if Steve Cohen is approved as majority owner he controls the money and he who controls the money is king. And Cohen has lots of it and the expectation is he will spend. #Mets
Joe DeMayo
@PSLToFlushing
9m
The expectation is the Mets will join the Yankees and Dodgers and Red Sox among the major league payroll leaders, perhaps not in 2020, but soon.
I am sure those are words #Mets fans have yearned to read
Thor, JDG, and Stroman should now be the top of the rotation for the foreseeable future (assuming Stroman pitches well enough that we want to keep him). And I highly doubt a legitimately run NY team lets a guy like Wheeler walk again.
Suddenly no more worries about Alonso's lost year of control, Conforto's upcoming FA, or resigning any homegrown stars we want.
Cano no longer matters. He'll get this year at 2B im sure, but if he doesn't produce this year he'll be jettisoned.
Hopefully there will be more Matthew Allen's and high profile IFA's in the future (and analytics investments, etc). Now an extra comp pick for next year.
As long as BVW learned from his Cano deal, it should never happen again. That move was made because it was deficit neutral - had he been able to just spend for a player in FA and eat Bruce's contract it's unlikely that whole deal would have come together (not to mention jeff wilpon's urging to do a big deal for his first one).
For the rest of this offseason I don't think much changes. Try to get a CF and a defensive backup C (ideally a young guy with some upside). Spend as much as possible on the BP. Sucks Hamels just signed, but a 1 or 2 year deal for a SP to replace Wheeler would be great. But i'd try not to put too much money into the future. Let Cespedes expire so we can spend real big going forward. If they decide to go for Rendon I won't complain though.
1 wild trade idea - Cespedes for David Price, Barnes, and JBJ, with the Red Sox kicking in money against Price's last 2 years. I know he's had injury issues but I've always liked Price and think he could be a real nice fill in for Wheeler.
is significantly better this year than next year. If I'm Cohen, I'm giving the Wilpons the cash now and grabbing Rendon. Go in with a splash.
Love Rendon but he's just not a fit for the team. McNeil's at 3B and we have a glut of players in CO. Spend the same money on Cole and improve the team tenfold on a real hole if you really want to go crazy IMO.
you think they are letting wilpon stay on longer so he could go out a winnner? that was my first reaction on the 5 year plan and the aggressive win now focus. They knew this was coming. I hope that the cash infusion is quick and plentiful. If he is anything like the axelrod character, I can totally see a big big splash
You think he might want to beef-up the analytics department?
Big data, meanwhile, is helping Point72 hit two birds, performance and compliance, with one stone. Cohen has been making pilgrimages to Silicon Valley, talking to startups that generate data that Point72 might use...
you think they are letting wilpon stay on longer so he could go out a winnner? that was my first reaction on the 5 year plan and the aggressive win now focus. They knew this was coming. I hope that the cash infusion is quick and plentiful. If he is anything like the axelrod character, I can totally see a big big splash
I mean just totally speculating... Yeah... I could see the Wilpons not wanting to see their baby go just yet... just as all its youth is coming into its own and they have the rookie of the year, a 2 time Cy Young winner, etc.. They have debt and loans... so maybe while all those are getting paid off it might be nice to try to win a WS with an infusion of new cash and then ride off in the sunset.. At least from their perspective.
But regardless of opinions flying wild in the media right now, I cant see Cohen doing this without having a major seat at the table day 1. He's going to have his voice heard and it will be felt immediately IMO. No swinging dick this big, who grew up a Mets fan no less, is bailing the Wilpons out (overpaying the appraised value as well!) to sit in a corner for the next 5 years and wait his turn. NO CHANCE.
Joel Sherman
@Joelsherman1
https://nypost.com/2019/12/04/steve-cohen-is-mets-godsend-that-should-bother-the-yankees/ In title the Wilpons have control, but if Steve Cohen is approved as majority owner he controls the money and he who controls the money is king. And Cohen has lots of it and the expectation is he will spend. #Mets
Joe DeMayo
@PSLToFlushing
9m
The expectation is the Mets will join the Yankees and Dodgers and Red Sox among the major league payroll leaders, perhaps not in 2020, but soon.
I am sure those are words #Mets fans have yearned to read
The deal isnt even final yet, and, even if it is, it should bother the Yankees? Seriously? LMAO. The Yankee complex is still alive and well.
Joel Sherman
@Joelsherman1
https://nypost.com/2019/12/04/steve-cohen-is-mets-godsend-that-should-bother-the-yankees/ In title the Wilpons have control, but if Steve Cohen is approved as majority owner he controls the money and he who controls the money is king. And Cohen has lots of it and the expectation is he will spend. #Mets
Joe DeMayo
@PSLToFlushing
9m
The expectation is the Mets will join the Yankees and Dodgers and Red Sox among the major league payroll leaders, perhaps not in 2020, but soon.
I am sure those are words #Mets fans have yearned to read
The deal isnt even final yet, and, even if it is, it should bother the Yankees? Seriously? LMAO. The Yankee complex is still alive and well.
You do realize the difference between a headline written by Joel Sherman and comments from met fans (who haven't even mentioned the yankees)?
I literally just did a search of the thread and the only person who typed the word 'yankee' is you other than it appearing in the URL of that article and quoted tweet.
But by all means, carry on browsing a met thread and accusing met fans of a complex...
RE: Nice to see that Yankee fans are still scanning Mets threads
Cohen is one of the worlds more famous art collectors, sometimes spending nine figures on a single work. In 2015, he spent $141.3 million on Alberto Giacomettis Pointing Man sculpture more money than the Mets have ever spent on an individual players contract.
the more excited I get. NO WAY Cohen sits on his hands for 5 years. It's stupid. I just read that he'll have at least 51% almost immediately. You think he's not going to go out and spend. No way he sits, not with this core in their prime. If they could spend on a major player or two TODAY we're a world series contender. I would hate to waste deGrom's prime waiting. You don't get a pitcher of his caliber very often.
probably can't afford to keep the franchise, especially if Katz wants to divest. Not enough cash there to hold majority stake. They probably hate having to do this, but they have no choice.
if Cohen were to raise budget IMMEDIATELY to $215-220 million, how you spending it?
I listed my somewhat realistic offseason and said wed be about 9 million over the tax which is where your number is and Im getting my numbers off MLBTR expected rates.
That said if long term implications are no longer a concern, I probably just sign Cole and Betances and call it. :).
But Im hoping something along the lines of my somewhat realistic proposal is indeed somewhat realistic. Well see.
My somewhat realistic dream offseason:
ZGiants98 : 8:44 pm : link : reply
Sign Keuchel, Betances, Akiyama, Castro, and Brach. Team should only be about 9 million over LT with a very small penalty.
My big balls new owner money is coming offseason in which we would have the best roster in the sport overnight ;)
Supposedly one of the first to put a heavy reliance on it for decision making for his hedge fund. You'd have to obviously think that will be coming to the Mets.
The 180 that may be about to occur with the franchise is almost unfathomable. I don't even know what to say.
Matthew Martoma,, who was convicted of insider trading and sent to jail for 9 years. I can tell you with 100% certainly that Steven Cohen was very much involved in the insider trading and was just as guilty as Martoma.
The case involved promising trials for an Alzherimer drug. Martoma befriended one of the doctor's running the trial. Two days before the results of the trial were to be released, Martoma flew from NYC to Detroit to speak with the doctor, who told Martoma the drug failed the trial. Martoma flew back to NYC on that Sunday and went straight to Cohen's home and met with him for an hour. The next day SAC Capital unloaded hundreds of millions in stock of the companies that owned the failed drug.
The only reason Steven Cohen is not in jail right now is because former US Attorney Preet Bahara has no balls and was scared to after Cohen.
So congrats to the Mets, they are now owned by Gordon Gekko.
I thought they went after Cohen and turned 1 of his guys but
That paints a very bad picture of this man and does suggest he is a scumbag whom most people on Wall St despise and say they are surprised he hasn't been incarcerated for something yet.
There's no doubt this baggage comes with him, but I just don't know how much (if any) of that should hang over his ownership of the Mets. The problems he has caused for himself pre-date this majority ownership.
Just cant help but think there's a LOLMets moment coming
I am in the same boat. I just can't wrap my head around Cohen forking over that kind of dough, only to let Jeff and Fred keep their current positions for 5 years? You just hope that something doesn't happen prior to this sale going final that the Wilpon's end up keeping the team.
As a Mets fan, you just know something is coming. We can't have nice things.
That said the 5 years thing seems like a save face thing to me. As others have mentioned there is no way that Cohen is putting this much money into something then letting the previous owners who have managed the team poorly continue to manage it. I think the Wilpons know that Cohen is going to come in and spend and want to get/take some credit if the team succeeds. Which we all feel is possible if the purse strings are loosened.
Joel Sherman
@Joelsherman1
https://nypost.com/2019/12/04/steve-cohen-is-mets-godsend-that-should-bother-the-yankees/ In title the Wilpons have control, but if Steve Cohen is approved as majority owner he controls the money and he who controls the money is king. And Cohen has lots of it and the expectation is he will spend. #Mets
Joe DeMayo
@PSLToFlushing
9m
The expectation is the Mets will join the Yankees and Dodgers and Red Sox among the major league payroll leaders, perhaps not in 2020, but soon.
I am sure those are words #Mets fans have yearned to read
The deal isnt even final yet, and, even if it is, it should bother the Yankees? Seriously? LMAO. The Yankee complex is still alive and well.
Did I miss something? Where does anyone say anything should bother the Yankees?
A Mets blogger posted a quote from a Sherman article saying Sherman expects the Mets to be among the top teams in payroll - with the Yankees, Red Sox and Dodgers.
What did I miss?
Unless I missed something, if someone has a complex, it's not who you think.
every Met fan seems to have gotten their wish and any NY baseball fan or NY sports fan in general should be celebrating.
Considering the rest of the NY sports landscape with no end of Dolan or the Johnson's or the Mara's in sight it would be great if both the Yankees and Mets were powerhouses.
Matthew Martoma,, who was convicted of insider trading and sent to jail for 9 years. I can tell you with 100% certainly that Steven Cohen was very much involved in the insider trading and was just as guilty as Martoma.
The case involved promising trials for an Alzherimer drug. Martoma befriended one of the doctor's running the trial. Two days before the results of the trial were to be released, Martoma flew from NYC to Detroit to speak with the doctor, who told Martoma the drug failed the trial. Martoma flew back to NYC on that Sunday and went straight to Cohen's home and met with him for an hour. The next day SAC Capital unloaded hundreds of millions in stock of the companies that owned the failed drug.
The only reason Steven Cohen is not in jail right now is because former US Attorney Preet Bahara has no balls and was scared to after Cohen.
So congrats to the Mets, they are now owned by Gordon Gekko.
There's no case against him. Prett Bahara is an ambitious person who would love to have a huge scalp like Cohen if that was in any way possible. He just doesn't have the evidence to do it.
Can you elaborate on this source? Seems very vague.
According to forbes, Steve Cohen will immediately have a greater than 50% stake in the team and will have veto power over decision going forward.
You don't think he might step in an throw a large sum of money at a guy like Cole? I find it hard to believe that a guy like Stevie Cohen, who just spent $2B to gain a controlling interest in the team, will sit on the sideline for the whole offseason and watch the team he owns be managed to a strict budget.
Source says this will not have an impact regarding the Mets spending this off-season FWIW
This is in line with the Joe DeMayo tweet above "perhaps not 2020 but soon"
We can only hope that this is the last offseason that we operate in this manner. Best case scenario (and this seems to be the case) is that Fred and Jeff got to keep their titles even though they're no longer in charge, probably by this time next year.
They probably wanted to stick with those titles since they can get some of the credit as things hopefully start getting better over the next several years.
Can you elaborate on this source? Seems very vague.
According to forbes, Steve Cohen will immediately have a greater than 50% stake in the team and will have veto power over decision going forward.
You don't think he might step in an throw a large sum of money at a guy like Cole? I find it hard to believe that a guy like Stevie Cohen, who just spent $2B to gain a controlling interest in the team, will sit on the sideline for the whole offseason and watch the team he owns be managed to a strict budget.
It's not vague at all. This has been in the works for a while and only leaked now. The Mets have elected not to take meetings with the upper tier FA and did not strongly pursue Wheeler (who signed just yesterday). I stand by what I was told. The Mets will not be pursuing major FA's this off-season. Beyond that I have no clue, no does anybody else.
The Wilpon's and their egos want to stick around because they know a guy like Cohen will do what it takes to win. This way if the are still involved in "some" capacity, then can try to take some credit before completely cashing out.
Fuck Fred and Jeff, take your billions and pay off some of your other debts. Between them and Katz, biggest crooks around.
not trying to be Debbie Downer but even using logic, if the Mets felt they suddenly would be spending a ton this off-season they would be rushing to get meetings with players like Cole, Rendon and Strasburg, guys who have already taken multiple meetings with other teams. They are not.
The Wilpon's and their egos want to stick around because they know a guy like Cohen will do what it takes to win. This way if the are still involved in "some" capacity, then can try to take some credit before completely cashing out.
Fuck Fred and Jeff, take your billions and pay off some of your other debts. Between them and Katz, biggest crooks around.
If this is what it took to get them out, then whatever.
It will obvious when things turn around who and what the problems were.
I am OK with them not spending big on FA this off season
not trying to be Debbie Downer but even using logic, if the Mets felt they suddenly would be spending a ton this off-season they would be rushing to get meetings with players like Cole, Rendon and Strasburg, guys who have already taken multiple meetings with other teams. They are not.
Based on everything going on (Mets not even speaking to Wheeler or Cole, being linked to a cheap also-ran 5th starter like Porcello) it looks like there's going to be no increase in payroll this offseason.
It's what we expected anyway, so we just have to deal with it. I'm fine with another lackluster offseason given the good news coming down the horizon.
The Wilpon's and their egos want to stick around because they know a guy like Cohen will do what it takes to win. This way if the are still involved in "some" capacity, then can try to take some credit before completely cashing out.
Fuck Fred and Jeff, take your billions and pay off some of your other debts. Between them and Katz, biggest crooks around.
If this is what it took to get them out, then whatever.
It will obvious when things turn around who and what the problems were.
Yea seriously, Would it really bother you to see them on float going down the canyon of heros if the Mets won the world series in a couple years? I would get over it real quick.
I am with you on that, if having them keep meaningless titles to stick around for a while, then I am definitely on board.
Would like to see Cohen start to insert some different baseball people behind the scenes though.
Anyone else think that BVW is probably a goner once Cohen gets control?
I think anything is possible once he takes control. We just have to patient. It won't be this year, but it's not going to take 5 years. We're almost there.
not trying to be Debbie Downer but even using logic, if the Mets felt they suddenly would be spending a ton this off-season they would be rushing to get meetings with players like Cole, Rendon and Strasburg, guys who have already taken multiple meetings with other teams. They are not.
I don't think they have taken meetings with these players yet because MLB hasn't officially approve the change in ownership. Once it becomes official, whether it be later this offseason or next year, you better believe that Steve Cohen will be spending big and making a splash. He is a savage billionaire who will do anything to win and doesn't care about losing money.
not trying to be Debbie Downer but even using logic, if the Mets felt they suddenly would be spending a ton this off-season they would be rushing to get meetings with players like Cole, Rendon and Strasburg, guys who have already taken multiple meetings with other teams. They are not.
I don't think they have taken meetings with these players yet because MLB hasn't officially approve the change in ownership. Once it becomes official, whether it be later this offseason or next year, you better believe that Steve Cohen will be spending big and making a splash. He is a savage billionaire who will do anything to win and doesn't care about losing money.
When did I suggest otherwise? I said I was told by a strong source it would not impact this off-season's payroll and there has been zero indication otherwise. They would be taking meetings with these players if they felt this were the case. If he wasn't approved (he's already been vetted by the league) then no harm no foul. I stand by what I've been told. The impact will not be felt this off-season and the Mets will not be chasing the upper tier FA THIS off-season. Nowhere have I suggested I know what will happen beyond that.
Greg Johns
@GregJohnsMLB
Per source, Mariners have trade in place that would send C Omar Narvaez to Milwaukee for RH pitcher Adam Hill, a 22-year-old who is Brewers' No. 24 prospect by MLB Pipeline, as well as a comp draft pick.
@Ken_Rosenthal
first reported a deal was in the works.
I don't think there will be an instant impact but if it's January
and Rendon is still avail like Harper/Machado last year, and everything with the deal has progressed, I find it hard to believe there won't be a way for him to give BVW a green light.
Will he or won't he is a very legitimate question and whether it makes sense to make a big commitment so quickly (from his POV as new owner who may want to re-evaluate the entire current admin + plan) is another, but it's hard to fathom there won't be a way to do it since he's already got an approved ownership stake that presumably gave him access to the inner workings of the team anyway.
I don't see something big like Rendon happening, but I could see him being willing to go big on 1 year deals for any Keuchel/Kimbrel types this year who are unsigned by ST and could help add depth.
6m
.
@BaseballAmerica
reports a #Mets international signing that went under the radar: 6-foot-4, 19-year-old Venezuelan RHP Robert Dominguez, who has been clocked up to 99 mph.
Not trying to be confrontational with you bud. I just think we should clarify your statement by your league source. It sounds like they dont think the sale will become official this offseason which is a bummer.
Not trying to be confrontational with you bud. I just think we should clarify your statement by your league source. It sounds like they dont think the sale will become official this offseason which is a bummer.
I can say it's someone with ties to players around the league and league owners.
RE: RE: I attended the trial of one of Cohen's minions...
There's no case against him. Prett Bahara is an ambitious person who would love to have a huge scalp like Cohen if that was in any way possible. He just doesn't have the evidence to do it.
Thanks for the congrats though!
You are completely wrong about this. I was there for the trial - they had plenty to convict Cohen but Bharara only took cases where he was 100% certain of getting a conviction. How do you think he was 87-1 in white collar crime trials? Because he only took cases they were 100% sure they would win.
Bharara's top assistant wanted to take the case but Bharara wouldn't let him out of fear of losing and tarnishising his legacy. If Cohen wasn't guilty he would never have agreed to pay a $1.2 BILLION dollar fine.
Believe what you want but Cohen is a crook who built his empire on insider trading and cheating.
But now that the Wilpons have agreed to turn over control of the steering wheel to Cohen eventually, they'll presumably accede to any suggestions from the backseat-driver billionaire. This is standard operating procedure when baseball teams change hands -- the incoming ownership driving decisions even before formal approval.
Cohen will want the Mets in the best possible shape when he officially takes charge, so if he wants an alteration to the roster, to the way they handle the farm system, to the front office, he'll be in position to make that happen. (Total speculation: Nobody should be shocked if the Cohen-led Mets work to pry New York native David Stearns -- a Mets fan growing up, before he became one of baseball's most respected executives -- out of Milwaukee).
Any long-term deal signed now -- for Pete Alonso, for a big-time free agent -- can be on Cohen's tab. The Wilpons retain their titles, for now. Cohen controls the long-term bill, willingly.
As I said I doubt anything rash happens this offseason because Cohen may want to make changes to the overall direction of the team, but sooner rather than later they are going to be able to start doing obvious things that the Wilpons haven't even seriously considered. Like signing a Gio Gonzalez for depth in ST. M-E-T-$: Impending sale could unleash a new big-money, big-market power - ( New Window )
RE: Gotta love the Yankees fans trying to throw shade
It is an odd study - they have a team history that is rich with tradition and championships yet any small amount of good news the Mets get frustrates them. They are about to sign Cole. I am not too much of a homer to say it would be nice to be in that position.
He's not my priest or other religious leader. He's not a role model for my kids. He's not setting my moral compass.
In fact a little willingness to go outside the bounds of what's allowed is fine with me for a sports team.
Instead of focusing on the negative, I'll focus on the Veterans Network that Steve and his wife founded.
His work with veteran's charities and PTSD research massively outweighs any shady or illegal business dealings.
but please bring up his past case that he could have been convicted for - since there was tons of evidence, but because it wasn't a 100% certainty he'd be found guilty he wasn't prosecuted.
He's not my priest or other religious leader. He's not a role model for my kids. He's not setting my moral compass.
In fact a little willingness to go outside the bounds of what's allowed is fine with me for a sports team.
Instead of focusing on the negative, I'll focus on the Veterans Network that Steve and his wife founded.
His work with veteran's charities and PTSD research massively outweighs any shady or illegal business dealings.
but please bring up his past case that he could have been convicted for - since there was tons of evidence, but because it wasn't a 100% certainty he'd be found guilty he wasn't prosecuted.
the Mets are acquiring Jake Marisnik. Haven't seen what the deal entails.
deal is apparently for 2 prospects. Passan is assuring Mets fans that it's nobody that would be considered big names.
Marisnick always seems like a pesky guy to play against. But I didn't realize how much he strikes out. Good defense nonetheless, and can play center. Not sure how much I'd want the bat in the lineup every day, especially in the NL.
@JeffPassan
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Jake Marisnick is headed to the Mets, sources confirm to ESPN. Two prospects will head back to the Astros. Neither is considered big-name. @Ken_Rosenthal had Marisnick going to New York.
There's no case against him. Prett Bahara is an ambitious person who would love to have a huge scalp like Cohen if that was in any way possible. He just doesn't have the evidence to do it.
Thanks for the congrats though!
You are completely wrong about this. I was there for the trial - they had plenty to convict Cohen but Bharara only took cases where he was 100% certain of getting a conviction. How do you think he was 87-1 in white collar crime trials? Because he only took cases they were 100% sure they would win.
Bharara's top assistant wanted to take the case but Bharara wouldn't let him out of fear of losing and tarnishising his legacy. If Cohen wasn't guilty he would never have agreed to pay a $1.2 BILLION dollar fine.
Believe what you want but Cohen is a crook who built his empire on insider trading and cheating.
Couldn't care less, go rain on someone else's parade. I'd take Gordon Gekko as the Mets owner if he wrote big checks and stayed out of the way. We aren't talking about serial killer here.
He's not my priest or other religious leader. He's not a role model for my kids. He's not setting my moral compass.
In fact a little willingness to go outside the bounds of what's allowed is fine with me for a sports team.
Instead of focusing on the negative, I'll focus on the Veterans Network that Steve and his wife founded.
His work with veteran's charities and PTSD research massively outweighs any shady or illegal business dealings.
but please bring up his past case that he could have been convicted for - since there was tons of evidence, but because it wasn't a 100% certainty he'd be found guilty he wasn't prosecuted.
I was hoping for Marte but this is a right-handed CF bat with a plus glove which is what they were looking for.
Horrendous offensive player. wRC+ the past 2 seasons.. 84 and 86. Luis Guillorme out hit him in 2019. He's not even a solid 4th OF given how injury prone Nimmo/Cespedes are. He's a defensive replacement on a good team.
1m
Seems like Mets aimed very low. Marisnick is essentially a defensive-replacement. He doesn't hit well against RHP/LHP. I would have preferred Dyson (assuming Marte wasn't happening...).
27s
Blake Taylor and Kenedy Corona are the prospects that go to Houston for Marisnick. Don't know anything about Corona but put up nice numbers this season.
just kept Lagares than giving up prospects for this guy. Not a fan.
He is cheaper than Lagares and offers greater upside. I think it will depend what prospects we gave up. Perhaps Carlos Beltran thinks highly of him or the source that informed us that J.D. Davis was being undervalued felt the same about Marisnick.
just kept Lagares than giving up prospects for this guy. Not a fan.
He is cheaper than Lagares and offers greater upside. I think it will depend what prospects we gave up. Perhaps Carlos Beltran thinks highly of him or the source that informed us that J.D. Davis was being undervalued felt the same about Marisnick.
C'mon Mike. Marisnick has played 685 MLB games and will be 29 opening day, how is that comporable to JD Davis? He is what he is.
just kept Lagares than giving up prospects for this guy. Not a fan.
He is cheaper than Lagares and offers greater upside. I think it will depend what prospects we gave up. Perhaps Carlos Beltran thinks highly of him or the source that informed us that J.D. Davis was being undervalued felt the same about Marisnick.
C'mon Mike. Marisnick has played 685 MLB games and will be 29 opening day, how is that comporable to JD Davis? He is what he is.
I would rather have Marisnick than Lagares considering the price. Blake Taylor showed improvement numberswise after moving to the bullpen, but with guys like Ryan, Villines, Gilliam, etc. in the system did we really need yet another relief pitcher? Know absolutely nothing about Corona.
about it. The Mets got Taylor in the Ike Davis trade and he probably would have been a waste for half the year clogging up a 40-man spot until/if he was called up.
not a fan, but not going to be pissed off about it either.
Obviously defensive replacement is the main gain but if Mets play him more regularly it will be the first time in his career he would be able to be fully evaluated.
the reality is it would have been difficult or expensive to upgrade what they have in Nimmo in CF. There were only a handful of defensive upgrades and offensively at best you get someone similar. The only guys who could conceivably do both together are Marte and Cain - who were expensive in different ways. We didn't give up anything of value so this is just a whatever move for depth since Nimmo does get hurt a lot.
Add some pitchers and a catcher with some real upside and then we can start talking about whether or not this roster/team is improved vs. last year. Either Toronto catcher would still make a lot of sense. Keuchel, Porcello, or even Gio would make sense to replace Wheeler or god forbid add extra depth. Signing Treinan, Betances, and Brach would surely go a long way to feeling better about the BP.
Which is why they should have signed someone better. Duh. This guy may end up starting 80 games. Or being forced to play a subpar defender there that can hit like last season.
It's not the be all end all but they should have spent more and got a better player.
will be an fine addition to fill in the last spot or two in the roster and can spell Nimmo and play CF late in certain games, but I just don't like the mentality where we always keep dealing minor leaguers.
will be an fine addition to fill in the last spot or two in the roster and can spell Nimmo and play CF late in certain games, but I just don't like the mentality where we always keep dealing minor leaguers.
At roughly 3 million he's going to have a bigger role than 24th or 25th man. I expect him to see at least 300-400 PA's and see a lot of PT.
there's a difference between depth prospects and non-prospects
to be clear im not sure which category any of the 5 belong in, but dealing non-prospects is insignificant.
Ironically most of these guys we dealt for CF'ers the past couple years seem more like non-prospects than that young IFA they dealt for Wilmer fucking Font.
RE: there's a difference between depth prospects and non-prospects
to be clear im not sure which category any of the 5 belong in, but dealing non-prospects is insignificant.
Ironically most of these guys we dealt for CF'ers the past couple years seem more like non-prospects than that young IFA they dealt for Wilmer fucking Font.
Adam Hill just brought back a legit MLB catcher in Narvaez so I don't think it's fair to suggest the Mets only dealt insignificant pieces in these deals. Taylor is close to the bigs and impressed out of the pen this year.
I think his ceiling for AB's is the 285 Lagares put up last year
and that was in a year where Nimmo missed 1/2 of the season. Hard to envision this guy getting more time than that unless Nimmo misses even more time next year.
RE: I think his ceiling for AB's is the 285 Lagares put up last year
and that was in a year where Nimmo missed 1/2 of the season. Hard to envision this guy getting more time than that unless Nimmo misses even more time next year.
318 PA's with a contender last year. Expect at least that with injury prone Nimmo and maybe even Cespedes.
RE: RE: there's a difference between depth prospects and non-prospects
to be clear im not sure which category any of the 5 belong in, but dealing non-prospects is insignificant.
Ironically most of these guys we dealt for CF'ers the past couple years seem more like non-prospects than that young IFA they dealt for Wilmer fucking Font.
Adam Hill just brought back a legit MLB catcher in Narvaez so I don't think it's fair to suggest the Mets only dealt insignificant pieces in these deals. Taylor is close to the bigs and impressed out of the pen this year.
Which is why I specifically said "I'm not sure which category any of the 5 belong in". Wouldn't that pretty much be the opposite of suggesting they only dealt non-prospects? Just pointing out at least a few of the 5 were likely non-prospects.
think Brodie has been too willing to give up guys like Hill who may not big prospects but do hold some value. These types are overlooked if all you focus on is top names or top 30 lists. Of course some of these guys are total NP's but they have sent away significant depth in the last 12ish months.
and that was in a year where Nimmo missed 1/2 of the season. Hard to envision this guy getting more time than that unless Nimmo misses even more time next year.
318 PA's with a contender last year. Expect at least that with injury prone Nimmo and maybe even Cespedes.
What he did in Houston is less relevant than the opportunity and situation here. They were a contender for sure, but they had 2 above replacement OF'ers (Springer, Brantley). We've potentially got 3 or 4 depending on where JDD/McNeil play. Cespedes could be another but he played 0 games last year and I don't expect that number to rise much this year. The Lagares role of last year, when the main CF was injured half of the year would seem to be a reasonable ceiling unless Nimmo misses even more time.
There's no question BVW has purged too much of the farm
but the bulk of that pain is the Stroman deal and the Cano deal. Those were both unmitigated disasters born purely out of Wilpon cheapness. Those 2 deals represent 4 of our top 10 prospects being dealt off - including our top position player and 2 top pitching prospects.
I'm a lot less worried about the 3 guys in JDD trade and the 5 guys from the CF trades.
In total those deals account for 13 prospects, Font got traded for 1 so that's 14. Can't recall the other 3 off the top of my head though. We traded Wahl somewhere.
21m
Marisnick as a spare outfielder to play against a tough lefty and come in late to run and play defense is very useful. If he starts more than twice a week, its a problem, and I dont think the Mets coughed up two prospects and an actual MLB salary to use him like Houston did
21m
Marisnick as a spare outfielder to play against a tough lefty and come in late to run and play defense is very useful. If he starts more than twice a week, its a problem, and I dont think the Mets coughed up two prospects and an actual MLB salary to use him like Houston did
That sounds like the exact role he'd be filling here.
21m
Marisnick as a spare outfielder to play against a tough lefty and come in late to run and play defense is very useful. If he starts more than twice a week, its a problem, and I dont think the Mets coughed up two prospects and an actual MLB salary to use him like Houston did
That sounds like the exact role he'd be filling here.
1. Seidler doesn't agree given the "cost" 2. He had 318 PA's in Houston, I suggested 300-400 PA's, where is the disagreement?
my disagreement is with Seidler that the Mets have some bigger role
I see no evidence that just because they paid him $3m and gave up a similar return to what they did for Broxton last year that means he's got some major increase in role coming. They paid $3m to TDA last year to be a backup and they DFA'd him. They barely played and then DFA'd Broxton, despite possibly giving up more than they did here since Hill had been a more recent draft pick.
I trust Seidler's evaluation that this guy can be a contributor starting rarely against lefties and as a late game base runner/defender. Since that's exactly what the Mets need to compliment Nimmo I don't think it's such a leap to think they are getting him for a similar role to the one he filled in Houston.
25m
Weve signed OF Jarrett Parker and INF Max Moroff (@max_moroff
) to minor league deals with invites to major league #SpringTraining. They join Chasen Shreve who signed a minor league contract with an invite to major league Spring Training in November. #Mets
according to Seidler, in the right role he is "very useful"
My first comment about this move is that he is literally a cheaper Lagares or Broxton 2.0 so I'm not exactly hyping it up. It seems like a perfectly fine back of the roster move though (not LOLmets).
Apparently Cohen will not be purchasing stake in SNY
Which is problematic because Mets sold their rights to SNY below market to avoid revenue sharing and likely to enable Wilpons to be able to provide more funds to other businesss. I really hope there is a quickly approaching term date because the Mets get probably half of what they could if they sold rights on open market.
Which is problematic because Mets sold their rights to SNY below market to avoid revenue sharing and likely to enable Wilpons to be able to provide more funds to other businesss. I really hope there is a quickly approaching term date because the Mets get probably half of what they could if they sold rights on open market.
Pretty sure I read somewhere yesterday that he deal with SNY goes "into the 2030s".
How about Mookie Betts, J.T. Realmuto and a retained Marcus Stroman wearing Mets uniforms on Opening Day of 2021?
Dare to dream, Mets fans.
Now, dare implies risk. Yet this dream holds a substantive chance of coming true.
Only Steve Cohen can say with certainty how quickly and aggressively hell infuse his riches into the mom-and-pop store that is the Mets, and the real-life inspiration for Billions hedge-fund maverick Bobby Axelrod comes off as far less loquacious than his fictional counterpart. Nevertheless, conversations with folks who know Cohen, the Mets or both lead one to believe Cohen will make his imprint on this franchise, as one experienced baseball executive put it, sooner than later.
Probably not soon enough to get, say, Gerrit Cole or Anthony Rendon. The agreement for Cohen to take over the Mets from the Wilpons and Saul Katz by 2025 hasnt been completed yet, as the two sides announced Wednesday remember the Mets spent many months in 2011 negotiating with another hedge-fund star, David Einhorn, before the arrangement fell apart short of the finish line and you might have noticed the Hot Stove campaign has moved at a brisker pace than recent predecessors.
Einhorn almost completely took the Wilpons for a ride - he'd be total
owner right now probably because I'm pretty sure he knew the wilpons were so cash poor the poison pills he wanted would have gotten him total control. Jeff Wilpon realized and blew that deal up and yet he's in the exact same position anyway. I knew someone who worked directly with the Wilpons at that time and supposedly Jeff went ballistic and that whole thing about throwing him out of the owner's sweet when he realized during a game was true and if anything understated.
Regardless I would agree the sky is the limit next year and it does almost make it a better play to not go for broke right now before they have more time to adjust their strategy from the Wilponzis. If Rendon is sitting there in January you'd have to consider jumping in if it's feasible, but I doubt that's the case.
Extending Thor + Stroman (if he's pitching well) should be job #1 by the all star break.
Also extending Alonso/Mcneil while they have leverage just like Atlanta did with Acuna/Albies should be #2. Especially since both those guys are already older.
Rosario/Nimmo/Conforto we probably need to see a little more before extending. They may be better trade bait. They seem like the types of young players who you'd be able to flip as part of a package for Lindor/Betts types very close to FA. Realmuto next offseason could be a perfect fit too, gotta think the Phillies will run out of room for 100m+ players eventually.
Ken Rosenthal
@Ken_Rosenthal
Free-agent RHP Brad Brach signs with #Mets, one year, $850K with a player option for $1.25M in 2021, sources tell The Athletic. Brach still owed $500K by #Cubs for 2020, so actually will earn total of $1.35M next season.
unless it's absolutely apparent I wouldn't even care about who gets named closer. I'd tell all of them they will have a chance to pitch to their strengths and get opportunities. Including Familia.
Getting buy in on that may be tricky and it may end up making more sense to get a guy like McHugh who is a little more role diverse. But I'd be willing to overpay on 1 year deals to try to make it happen (as opposed to making their contracts incentive based).
Ken Rosenthal
@Ken_Rosenthal
BREAKING: The Sterling Partners and Steve Cohen are negotiating an agreement in which Cohen would increase his investment in the #Mets, per source. Fred Wilpon will remain Control Person and CEO for five years and Jeff Wilpon will remain COO for five-year period as well.
yes it would.
I wouldn't wish death on anyone for mismanaging a baseball team but he's old, old people die.
wondering if CEO goes to Cohen or Jeff.
Nevermind, it's only 4% but still. FUCK YOU WILPONZIS.
selling 60% to make total share 80%? thats my guess
How typical and pathetic of the Wilpons to insist of 5 years of control on the way out. Look forward to them gutting our farm system and half-assed trying to win a world series so they can go out with some good press.
Guess I need to start eating right and working out more to make sure I'm in good health to enjoy these post-Wilpon Mets years.
How typical and pathetic of the Wilpons to insist of 5 years of control on the way out. Look forward to them gutting our farm system and half-assed trying to win a world series so they can go out with some good press.
Guess I need to start eating right and working out more to make sure I'm in good health to enjoy these post-Wilpon Mets years.
I was just thinking the exact same thing. They are going to try to win now more than ever. Ugh. I hope after 5 years the Mets are crippled with old, overpaid vets and no farm.
Quote:
This is really exciting.
How typical and pathetic of the Wilpons to insist of 5 years of control on the way out. Look forward to them gutting our farm system and half-assed trying to win a world series so they can go out with some good press.
Guess I need to start eating right and working out more to make sure I'm in good health to enjoy these post-Wilpon Mets years.
I was just thinking the exact same thing. They are going to try to win now more than ever. Ugh. I hope after 5 years the Mets are crippled with old, overpaid vets and no farm.
aren't***
JDG Cy young's, Alonso ROY and rookie HR record and derby, WC game in 2016.
this is the best day as a Mets fan in over 4 years if this is true.
The fanbase has long deserved more worthy owners.
@SotoC803
3m
Part of me wonders if the Wilpons/Sterling Equities are forcing themselves to sell majority ownership in the team.
We found out a few weeks ago that they had not yet contributed a dime towards their share of the $1.3 Billion Belmont Park Arena Project.
Tim Healey
@timbhealey
1m
More info: Steve Cohen's upped stake will be a majority stake -- so he will be the Mets' owner, a source says.
After the five-year window during which the Wilpons keep their titles, Steven Cohen will be the Mets' "control person," which is basically baseball's term for owner.
I doubt they are going to start running the whole front office on their way out the door even if it is 5 years away.
And maybe the Cohen money starts now, allowing them to be more aggressive in the meantime.
Lets hope.
I doubt they are going to start running the whole front office on their way out the door even if it is 5 years away.
And maybe the Cohen money starts now, allowing them to be more aggressive in the meantime.
Lets hope.
Ken Rosenthal disagrees with you. He said the Wilpons meddle more than almost any owner in baseball and LAUGHED out loud when talking about "unique politics" behind the scenes with the Mets just a few weeks ago... he wasn't talking Trump either lol
Jeff being out after 5 years in itself is an upgrade, Nelson Doubleday warned us all.
Link - ( New Window )
Link - ( New Window )
The Mets could have the wealthiest and most aggressive owner in baseball. Talk about a 180!
@jaseidler
52m
Cohen is a hedge fund ghoul who is the basis for Damian Lewiss character on Billions. Dont assume this is actually good news until things happen
I am mildly nervous about the relationship with SNY and how much of a share he will own of that since that is the real money maker and allegedly the Mets sell the rights to them at a very sny friendly deal.
He will hire a baseball guy to run things. He won't be COO like Jeff.
And to the reports about "what kind of person" Cohen is. I honestly don't give a shit. If he allows baseball people to make baseball decisions and keeps himself out of the headlines - two major thumbs up and 2025 can't get here fast enough.
@jaseidler
52m
Cohen is a hedge fund ghoul who is the basis for Damian Lewiss character on Billions. Dont assume this is actually good news until things happen
Jarrett seems like the type who hates anyone who runs a hedge fund. Personally, someone smart enough to rise to the top of that world, and who has incredibly deep pockets, is exactly who I want as an owner.
Come on Z, there have been a multitude of stories that implied Jeff was overly involved in every aspect of the operational side. Many have speculated that is why he hired his golfing buddy as GM.
After 33 years of mostly ineptitude, I can hold on for 5 years. And maybe knowing most of it isn't their money, they'll open the purse strings a bit.
@DPLennon
5m
Bloomberg has Steve Cohens worth at $9.2B, which means #Mets will have MLBs richest owner when sale goes through.
@danconnolly2016
1m
Source confirming Orioles have received four right-handed pitchers for Bundy: Isaac Mattson, Zach Peek, Kyle Bradish and Kyle Brnovich.
@Ken_Rosenthal
had trade first.
@JeffPassan
had more details.
@NYPost_Mets
1m
A person who is friends with the Mets' new perspective owner in five years, Steve Cohen, says Cohen "will play the game at the highest level" in regards to spending on players.
I would be floored if the Wilpons weren't pushed to have to make this decision because of outstanding obligations to the point where they didn't have a choice in the matter.
Cohen is no angel and probably got off very lucky on the insider trading thing but from a mets organization standpoint beggars cant be choosers unless we want to see Syndergaard in pinstripes or Philly.
I would be floored if the Wilpons weren't pushed to have to make this decision because of outstanding obligations to the point where they didn't have a choice in the matter.
Cohen is no angel and probably got off very lucky on the insider trading thing but from a mets organization standpoint beggars cant be choosers unless we want to see Syndergaard in pinstripes or Philly.
Clearly the 2020 payroll isn't going to go up based on this. Who knows beyond that?
He scammed virtually everyone he came in contact with
So an awful bullpen again?
He scammed virtually everyone he came in contact with
Spanos (?) something like that, right?
Charles Wang sold a minority interest in the Isles in 2014 with plans to fully transition ownership in 2 years (which happened in 2016).
The Islanders 2013-2014 roster was 2nd to last in the NHL and using gimmicks to just get above the cap floor like trading for players who never even played for them just to have their unpaid salary on the books. As it had been for 3+ decades.
In 2014-15 they shot up to 17th and 2015-16 they shot up to the 8th highest payroll but like almost every other team trying to compete they actually spent to the cap for the first time in decades.
The new owners weren't approved as majority owners until June 2016 so that change happened prior.
Cohen already has a vested interest in the team so I highly doubt he's going to want to see his asset jeopardized by the exiting tenant.
Quote:
One more pitcher and lets go....
So an awful bullpen again?
and hope Familia and Diaz are better.
As my boss says "hope is not a strategy"
I'd honestly address the BP before a starter or CFer.
Quote:
Who bought the Islanders before Wang?
He scammed virtually everyone he came in contact with
Spanos (?) something like that, right?
John Spano. Great 30 for 30 on him
Quote:
Who bought the Islanders before Wang?
He scammed virtually everyone he came in contact with
Spanos (?) something like that, right?
Yup John Spano. Other than not actually, you know, having money, he had some interesting plans. He was going to make mega offers on both Foresberg and Sakic as RFAs to hopefully pry 1 from the Avs.
It could help the on field product in the short term if Jeffy gets to spend OPM instead of his own.
But I'm not sure that's the case. There is a probability all of the new money is already spent on the debt. We will see.
Steve Cohen is said to be buying about 80 percent of the Mets at a 2.6B valuation. Word is he started with 20 percent and will go soon to a majority stake. Fred Wilpon will be the official control person for 5 years, but not hard to imagine Cohen will have a big say very soon.
bhill,
this sale/sale discussion didn't just pop up. They have clearly been talking for a while and yet the Mets aren't taking meetings with ANY of the top FA's. Cohen wouldn't even be on board in time to impact payroll.
Wilpon's biggest issue was/is being cheap. Now a billionaire will be writing the checks. Maybe not for 2020 but absolutely before 5 years is up.
Not saying that this will impact this offseason or not, just merely saying that having clarity regarding finances could have an immediate impact.
Not saying that this will impact this offseason or not, just merely saying that having clarity regarding finances could have an immediate impact.
If we know anything about the Wilpons maximizing their valuation was likely their top priority as they were finalizing this deal. Other than Fred maintaining the appearance of "control".
Quote:
Behind the scenes obviously but the Wilpons really havent meddled much since Sandy took over outside of maybe setting the payroll number.
Come on Z, there have been a multitude of stories that implied Jeff was overly involved in every aspect of the operational side. Many have speculated that is why he hired his golfing buddy as GM.
After 33 years of mostly ineptitude, I can hold on for 5 years. And maybe knowing most of it isn't their money, they'll open the purse strings a bit.
Im well aware of all the dumb shit the Wilpons have done and it reached its peak during the Minaya years IMO. But the very thing people are hoping Cohen does... "let baseball people run the baseball affairs" Is the exact same thing the Wilpons made a concerted effort to do under Sandy. Outside of an off color remark about Wright once, they really haven't been in the news for some time now like they used to be. Obviously, they are still the owners and things have been happening behind the scenes but the media and fan base haven't known much about it in some time. Shecky has spoken to this too.
Hey, after the Madoff mess, its been a slippery slope getting them up to where they've been spending again but there's no doubt having the richest owner in professional sports should help. Im ecstatic.
I don't care if owners meddle..I just want them to open the checkbook to cover up mistakes....not get scared of making more moves.
Hopefully we can now play with the big boys and not let money STOP us from making the RIGHT move.
Need to maximize WAR on the field...not WAR/$
Wilpons will basically just ease out as figureheads for the next few years but Cohen will control the team.
Link - ( New Window )
-JD Davis prefers to play 3B and is working very hard on improving there.
Still think I like McNeil better at 3B but Davis improving at 3B would certainly be useful as well.
My big balls new owner money is coming offseason in which we would have the best roster in the sport overnight ;)
Cole, Betances, Akiyama, Castro, and Brach.
Joel Sherman
@Joelsherman1
https://nypost.com/2019/12/04/steve-cohen-is-mets-godsend-that-should-bother-the-yankees/ In title the Wilpons have control, but if Steve Cohen is approved as majority owner he controls the money and he who controls the money is king. And Cohen has lots of it and the expectation is he will spend. #Mets
Joe DeMayo
@PSLToFlushing
9m
The expectation is the Mets will join the Yankees and Dodgers and Red Sox among the major league payroll leaders, perhaps not in 2020, but soon.
I am sure those are words #Mets fans have yearned to read
Thor, JDG, and Stroman should now be the top of the rotation for the foreseeable future (assuming Stroman pitches well enough that we want to keep him). And I highly doubt a legitimately run NY team lets a guy like Wheeler walk again.
Suddenly no more worries about Alonso's lost year of control, Conforto's upcoming FA, or resigning any homegrown stars we want.
Cano no longer matters. He'll get this year at 2B im sure, but if he doesn't produce this year he'll be jettisoned.
Hopefully there will be more Matthew Allen's and high profile IFA's in the future (and analytics investments, etc). Now an extra comp pick for next year.
As long as BVW learned from his Cano deal, it should never happen again. That move was made because it was deficit neutral - had he been able to just spend for a player in FA and eat Bruce's contract it's unlikely that whole deal would have come together (not to mention jeff wilpon's urging to do a big deal for his first one).
For the rest of this offseason I don't think much changes. Try to get a CF and a defensive backup C (ideally a young guy with some upside). Spend as much as possible on the BP. Sucks Hamels just signed, but a 1 or 2 year deal for a SP to replace Wheeler would be great. But i'd try not to put too much money into the future. Let Cespedes expire so we can spend real big going forward. If they decide to go for Rendon I won't complain though.
1 wild trade idea - Cespedes for David Price, Barnes, and JBJ, with the Red Sox kicking in money against Price's last 2 years. I know he's had injury issues but I've always liked Price and think he could be a real nice fill in for Wheeler.
Love Rendon but he's just not a fit for the team. McNeil's at 3B and we have a glut of players in CO. Spend the same money on Cole and improve the team tenfold on a real hole if you really want to go crazy IMO.
Sherman
I mean just totally speculating... Yeah... I could see the Wilpons not wanting to see their baby go just yet... just as all its youth is coming into its own and they have the rookie of the year, a 2 time Cy Young winner, etc.. They have debt and loans... so maybe while all those are getting paid off it might be nice to try to win a WS with an infusion of new cash and then ride off in the sunset.. At least from their perspective.
But regardless of opinions flying wild in the media right now, I cant see Cohen doing this without having a major seat at the table day 1. He's going to have his voice heard and it will be felt immediately IMO. No swinging dick this big, who grew up a Mets fan no less, is bailing the Wilpons out (overpaying the appraised value as well!) to sit in a corner for the next 5 years and wait his turn. NO CHANCE.
Again, my thoughts only.
Joel Sherman
@Joelsherman1
https://nypost.com/2019/12/04/steve-cohen-is-mets-godsend-that-should-bother-the-yankees/ In title the Wilpons have control, but if Steve Cohen is approved as majority owner he controls the money and he who controls the money is king. And Cohen has lots of it and the expectation is he will spend. #Mets
Joe DeMayo
@PSLToFlushing
9m
The expectation is the Mets will join the Yankees and Dodgers and Red Sox among the major league payroll leaders, perhaps not in 2020, but soon.
I am sure those are words #Mets fans have yearned to read
The deal isnt even final yet, and, even if it is, it should bother the Yankees? Seriously? LMAO. The Yankee complex is still alive and well.
Talk about complex, LOL
Quote:
Joel Sherman
@Joelsherman1
https://nypost.com/2019/12/04/steve-cohen-is-mets-godsend-that-should-bother-the-yankees/ In title the Wilpons have control, but if Steve Cohen is approved as majority owner he controls the money and he who controls the money is king. And Cohen has lots of it and the expectation is he will spend. #Mets
Joe DeMayo
@PSLToFlushing
9m
The expectation is the Mets will join the Yankees and Dodgers and Red Sox among the major league payroll leaders, perhaps not in 2020, but soon.
I am sure those are words #Mets fans have yearned to read
The deal isnt even final yet, and, even if it is, it should bother the Yankees? Seriously? LMAO. The Yankee complex is still alive and well.
You do realize the difference between a headline written by Joel Sherman and comments from met fans (who haven't even mentioned the yankees)?
I literally just did a search of the thread and the only person who typed the word 'yankee' is you other than it appearing in the URL of that article and quoted tweet.
But by all means, carry on browsing a met thread and accusing met fans of a complex...
Talk about complex, LOL
Yeah was gonna say.... What???
Enter Cohen.
Can anyone say Mookie Betts? Move Nimmo to LF next year.
Enter Cohen.
Can anyone say Mookie Betts? Move Nimmo to LF next year.
An extend Matz/Thor :)
But as others have said- zero chance Cohen is waiting 5 years to make an impact. Hell be going all in. Im thrilled.
here too brother, texting up some ex gf's too, cause why not.
This is crazy fun.
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Soooooooooo happppppppy
here too brother, texting up some ex gf's too, cause why not.
This is crazy fun.
Yesssss! Imagine not having to temper trade and FA. Thoughts (and IFAs) because of money?? Been a long 11 years!
buy back Wheeler
buy Cespedes a segway
buy Degrom whatever the fuck he wants
extend Thor, extend Conforto, extend Alonso
oh yea ....sign Cole
I listed my somewhat realistic offseason and said wed be about 9 million over the tax which is where your number is and Im getting my numbers off MLBTR expected rates.
That said if long term implications are no longer a concern, I probably just sign Cole and Betances and call it. :).
But Im hoping something along the lines of my somewhat realistic proposal is indeed somewhat realistic. Well see.
My somewhat realistic dream offseason:
ZGiants98 : 8:44 pm : link : reply
Sign Keuchel, Betances, Akiyama, Castro, and Brach. Team should only be about 9 million over LT with a very small penalty.
My big balls new owner money is coming offseason in which we would have the best roster in the sport overnight ;)
Cole, Betances, Akiyama, Castro, and Brach.
2.) McNeil 3B
3.) Alonso 1B
4.) Cespedes LF
5.) Conforto RF
6.) Ramos C
7.) Cano 2B
8.) Rosario SS
Akiyama, JD Davis, Dom Smith, Lowrie, Castro
1.) DeGrom
2.) Syndergaard
3.) Stroman
4.) Keuchel
5.) Matz
Diaz, Betances, Lugo, Wilson, Familia, Gsellman, Brach, D.Smith
Teams solid.
The 180 that may be about to occur with the franchise is almost unfathomable. I don't even know what to say.
The case involved promising trials for an Alzherimer drug. Martoma befriended one of the doctor's running the trial. Two days before the results of the trial were to be released, Martoma flew from NYC to Detroit to speak with the doctor, who told Martoma the drug failed the trial. Martoma flew back to NYC on that Sunday and went straight to Cohen's home and met with him for an hour. The next day SAC Capital unloaded hundreds of millions in stock of the companies that owned the failed drug.
The only reason Steven Cohen is not in jail right now is because former US Attorney Preet Bahara has no balls and was scared to after Cohen.
So congrats to the Mets, they are now owned by Gordon Gekko.
There's no doubt this baggage comes with him, but I just don't know how much (if any) of that should hang over his ownership of the Mets. The problems he has caused for himself pre-date this majority ownership.
Ok moving on, is he a Mets fan? Will he run the team financially the way it should have been run the last 30 years? Yes? Sign me up.
So congrats to the Mets, they are now owned by Gordon Gekko.
Well, beats the current ownership:
BTW: Blue Horseshoe LOVES Anacott Steel.
There always is. It's Charlie Brown kicking a football.
I expect this Cohen guy to be indicted on embezzlement and fraud charges shortly.
I am in the same boat. I just can't wrap my head around Cohen forking over that kind of dough, only to let Jeff and Fred keep their current positions for 5 years? You just hope that something doesn't happen prior to this sale going final that the Wilpon's end up keeping the team.
As a Mets fan, you just know something is coming. We can't have nice things.
That said the 5 years thing seems like a save face thing to me. As others have mentioned there is no way that Cohen is putting this much money into something then letting the previous owners who have managed the team poorly continue to manage it. I think the Wilpons know that Cohen is going to come in and spend and want to get/take some credit if the team succeeds. Which we all feel is possible if the purse strings are loosened.
Quote:
Joel Sherman
@Joelsherman1
https://nypost.com/2019/12/04/steve-cohen-is-mets-godsend-that-should-bother-the-yankees/ In title the Wilpons have control, but if Steve Cohen is approved as majority owner he controls the money and he who controls the money is king. And Cohen has lots of it and the expectation is he will spend. #Mets
Joe DeMayo
@PSLToFlushing
9m
The expectation is the Mets will join the Yankees and Dodgers and Red Sox among the major league payroll leaders, perhaps not in 2020, but soon.
I am sure those are words #Mets fans have yearned to read
The deal isnt even final yet, and, even if it is, it should bother the Yankees? Seriously? LMAO. The Yankee complex is still alive and well.
Did I miss something? Where does anyone say anything should bother the Yankees?
A Mets blogger posted a quote from a Sherman article saying Sherman expects the Mets to be among the top teams in payroll - with the Yankees, Red Sox and Dodgers.
What did I miss?
Unless I missed something, if someone has a complex, it's not who you think.
Considering the rest of the NY sports landscape with no end of Dolan or the Johnson's or the Mara's in sight it would be great if both the Yankees and Mets were powerhouses.
It also came from a Sherman article and "a person who has deal with Cohen".
Not even Mets fans.
And the point is more teams willing to spend should bother teams that spend. It potentially forces them to spend more.
the sensitivity of Yankees fans knows no bounds.
The case involved promising trials for an Alzherimer drug. Martoma befriended one of the doctor's running the trial. Two days before the results of the trial were to be released, Martoma flew from NYC to Detroit to speak with the doctor, who told Martoma the drug failed the trial. Martoma flew back to NYC on that Sunday and went straight to Cohen's home and met with him for an hour. The next day SAC Capital unloaded hundreds of millions in stock of the companies that owned the failed drug.
The only reason Steven Cohen is not in jail right now is because former US Attorney Preet Bahara has no balls and was scared to after Cohen.
So congrats to the Mets, they are now owned by Gordon Gekko.
There's no case against him. Prett Bahara is an ambitious person who would love to have a huge scalp like Cohen if that was in any way possible. He just doesn't have the evidence to do it.
Thanks for the congrats though!
According to forbes, Steve Cohen will immediately have a greater than 50% stake in the team and will have veto power over decision going forward.
You don't think he might step in an throw a large sum of money at a guy like Cole? I find it hard to believe that a guy like Stevie Cohen, who just spent $2B to gain a controlling interest in the team, will sit on the sideline for the whole offseason and watch the team he owns be managed to a strict budget.
This is in line with the Joe DeMayo tweet above "perhaps not 2020 but soon"
We can only hope that this is the last offseason that we operate in this manner. Best case scenario (and this seems to be the case) is that Fred and Jeff got to keep their titles even though they're no longer in charge, probably by this time next year.
They probably wanted to stick with those titles since they can get some of the credit as things hopefully start getting better over the next several years.
According to forbes, Steve Cohen will immediately have a greater than 50% stake in the team and will have veto power over decision going forward.
You don't think he might step in an throw a large sum of money at a guy like Cole? I find it hard to believe that a guy like Stevie Cohen, who just spent $2B to gain a controlling interest in the team, will sit on the sideline for the whole offseason and watch the team he owns be managed to a strict budget.
It's not vague at all. This has been in the works for a while and only leaked now. The Mets have elected not to take meetings with the upper tier FA and did not strongly pursue Wheeler (who signed just yesterday). I stand by what I was told. The Mets will not be pursuing major FA's this off-season. Beyond that I have no clue, no does anybody else.
Fuck Fred and Jeff, take your billions and pay off some of your other debts. Between them and Katz, biggest crooks around.
Fuck Fred and Jeff, take your billions and pay off some of your other debts. Between them and Katz, biggest crooks around.
If this is what it took to get them out, then whatever.
It will obvious when things turn around who and what the problems were.
Do what you can do to help the 2020 club without giving up any assets.
Based on everything going on (Mets not even speaking to Wheeler or Cole, being linked to a cheap also-ran 5th starter like Porcello) it looks like there's going to be no increase in payroll this offseason.
It's what we expected anyway, so we just have to deal with it. I'm fine with another lackluster offseason given the good news coming down the horizon.
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The Wilpon's and their egos want to stick around because they know a guy like Cohen will do what it takes to win. This way if the are still involved in "some" capacity, then can try to take some credit before completely cashing out.
Fuck Fred and Jeff, take your billions and pay off some of your other debts. Between them and Katz, biggest crooks around.
If this is what it took to get them out, then whatever.
It will obvious when things turn around who and what the problems were.
Yea seriously, Would it really bother you to see them on float going down the canyon of heros if the Mets won the world series in a couple years? I would get over it real quick.
Would like to see Cohen start to insert some different baseball people behind the scenes though.
Anyone else think that BVW is probably a goner once Cohen gets control?
Would like to see Cohen start to insert some different baseball people behind the scenes though.
Anyone else think that BVW is probably a goner once Cohen gets control?
I think anything is possible once he takes control. We just have to patient. It won't be this year, but it's not going to take 5 years. We're almost there.
I don't think they have taken meetings with these players yet because MLB hasn't officially approve the change in ownership. Once it becomes official, whether it be later this offseason or next year, you better believe that Steve Cohen will be spending big and making a splash. He is a savage billionaire who will do anything to win and doesn't care about losing money.
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not trying to be Debbie Downer but even using logic, if the Mets felt they suddenly would be spending a ton this off-season they would be rushing to get meetings with players like Cole, Rendon and Strasburg, guys who have already taken multiple meetings with other teams. They are not.
I don't think they have taken meetings with these players yet because MLB hasn't officially approve the change in ownership. Once it becomes official, whether it be later this offseason or next year, you better believe that Steve Cohen will be spending big and making a splash. He is a savage billionaire who will do anything to win and doesn't care about losing money.
When did I suggest otherwise? I said I was told by a strong source it would not impact this off-season's payroll and there has been zero indication otherwise. They would be taking meetings with these players if they felt this were the case. If he wasn't approved (he's already been vetted by the league) then no harm no foul. I stand by what I've been told. The impact will not be felt this off-season and the Mets will not be chasing the upper tier FA THIS off-season. Nowhere have I suggested I know what will happen beyond that.
@BenBadler
This one's pretty remarkable. The Mets have signed a Venezuelan pitcher at 17 who's throwing 99 mph:
Greg Johns
@GregJohnsMLB
Per source, Mariners have trade in place that would send C Omar Narvaez to Milwaukee for RH pitcher Adam Hill, a 22-year-old who is Brewers' No. 24 prospect by MLB Pipeline, as well as a comp draft pick.
@Ken_Rosenthal
first reported a deal was in the works.
Will he or won't he is a very legitimate question and whether it makes sense to make a big commitment so quickly (from his POV as new owner who may want to re-evaluate the entire current admin + plan) is another, but it's hard to fathom there won't be a way to do it since he's already got an approved ownership stake that presumably gave him access to the inner workings of the team anyway.
I don't see something big like Rendon happening, but I could see him being willing to go big on 1 year deals for any Keuchel/Kimbrel types this year who are unsigned by ST and could help add depth.
Jacob Resnick
@Jacob_Resnick
6m
.
@BaseballAmerica
reports a #Mets international signing that went under the radar: 6-foot-4, 19-year-old Venezuelan RHP Robert Dominguez, who has been clocked up to 99 mph.
I can say it's someone with ties to players around the league and league owners.
Quote:
There's no case against him. Prett Bahara is an ambitious person who would love to have a huge scalp like Cohen if that was in any way possible. He just doesn't have the evidence to do it.
Thanks for the congrats though!
You are completely wrong about this. I was there for the trial - they had plenty to convict Cohen but Bharara only took cases where he was 100% certain of getting a conviction. How do you think he was 87-1 in white collar crime trials? Because he only took cases they were 100% sure they would win.
Bharara's top assistant wanted to take the case but Bharara wouldn't let him out of fear of losing and tarnishising his legacy. If Cohen wasn't guilty he would never have agreed to pay a $1.2 BILLION dollar fine.
Believe what you want but Cohen is a crook who built his empire on insider trading and cheating.
Michael Mayer
@mikemayerMMO
3m
Heyman says as of right now for the Mets in terms of acquiring players everything is, "business as usual."
Cohen will want the Mets in the best possible shape when he officially takes charge, so if he wants an alteration to the roster, to the way they handle the farm system, to the front office, he'll be in position to make that happen. (Total speculation: Nobody should be shocked if the Cohen-led Mets work to pry New York native David Stearns -- a Mets fan growing up, before he became one of baseball's most respected executives -- out of Milwaukee).
Any long-term deal signed now -- for Pete Alonso, for a big-time free agent -- can be on Cohen's tab. The Wilpons retain their titles, for now. Cohen controls the long-term bill, willingly.
As I said I doubt anything rash happens this offseason because Cohen may want to make changes to the overall direction of the team, but sooner rather than later they are going to be able to start doing obvious things that the Wilpons haven't even seriously considered. Like signing a Gio Gonzalez for depth in ST.
M-E-T-$: Impending sale could unleash a new big-money, big-market power - ( New Window )
It is an odd study - they have a team history that is rich with tradition and championships yet any small amount of good news the Mets get frustrates them. They are about to sign Cole. I am not too much of a homer to say it would be nice to be in that position.
He's not my priest or other religious leader. He's not a role model for my kids. He's not setting my moral compass.
In fact a little willingness to go outside the bounds of what's allowed is fine with me for a sports team.
Instead of focusing on the negative, I'll focus on the Veterans Network that Steve and his wife founded.
His work with veteran's charities and PTSD research massively outweighs any shady or illegal business dealings.
but please bring up his past case that he could have been convicted for - since there was tons of evidence, but because it wasn't a 100% certainty he'd be found guilty he wasn't prosecuted.
He's not my priest or other religious leader. He's not a role model for my kids. He's not setting my moral compass.
In fact a little willingness to go outside the bounds of what's allowed is fine with me for a sports team.
Instead of focusing on the negative, I'll focus on the Veterans Network that Steve and his wife founded.
His work with veteran's charities and PTSD research massively outweighs any shady or illegal business dealings.
but please bring up his past case that he could have been convicted for - since there was tons of evidence, but because it wasn't a 100% certainty he'd be found guilty he wasn't prosecuted.
LOL, thank you!
In fact a little willingness to go outside the bounds of what's allowed is fine with me for a sports team.'
deal is apparently for 2 prospects. Passan is assuring Mets fans that it's nobody that would be considered big names.
Marisnick always seems like a pesky guy to play against. But I didn't realize how much he strikes out. Good defense nonetheless, and can play center. Not sure how much I'd want the bat in the lineup every day, especially in the NL.
Verified account
@JeffPassan
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Jake Marisnick is headed to the Mets, sources confirm to ESPN. Two prospects will head back to the Astros. Neither is considered big-name. @Ken_Rosenthal had Marisnick going to New York.
8:09 AM - 5 Dec 2019
I was hoping for Marte but this is a right-handed CF bat with a plus glove which is what they were looking for.
Quote:
In comment 14703536 Tesla said:
Quote:
There's no case against him. Prett Bahara is an ambitious person who would love to have a huge scalp like Cohen if that was in any way possible. He just doesn't have the evidence to do it.
Thanks for the congrats though!
You are completely wrong about this. I was there for the trial - they had plenty to convict Cohen but Bharara only took cases where he was 100% certain of getting a conviction. How do you think he was 87-1 in white collar crime trials? Because he only took cases they were 100% sure they would win.
Bharara's top assistant wanted to take the case but Bharara wouldn't let him out of fear of losing and tarnishising his legacy. If Cohen wasn't guilty he would never have agreed to pay a $1.2 BILLION dollar fine.
Believe what you want but Cohen is a crook who built his empire on insider trading and cheating.
Couldn't care less, go rain on someone else's parade. I'd take Gordon Gekko as the Mets owner if he wrote big checks and stayed out of the way. We aren't talking about serial killer here.
He's not my priest or other religious leader. He's not a role model for my kids. He's not setting my moral compass.
In fact a little willingness to go outside the bounds of what's allowed is fine with me for a sports team.
Instead of focusing on the negative, I'll focus on the Veterans Network that Steve and his wife founded.
His work with veteran's charities and PTSD research massively outweighs any shady or illegal business dealings.
but please bring up his past case that he could have been convicted for - since there was tons of evidence, but because it wasn't a 100% certainty he'd be found guilty he wasn't prosecuted.
Great post dude.
Quote:
stinks. Solid glove. Nothing more
I was hoping for Marte but this is a right-handed CF bat with a plus glove which is what they were looking for.
Horrendous offensive player. wRC+ the past 2 seasons.. 84 and 86. Luis Guillorme out hit him in 2019. He's not even a solid 4th OF given how injury prone Nimmo/Cespedes are. He's a defensive replacement on a good team.
I didn't say "good" bat. I said right-handed.
@BenBerkon
1m
Seems like Mets aimed very low. Marisnick is essentially a defensive-replacement. He doesn't hit well against RHP/LHP. I would have preferred Dyson (assuming Marte wasn't happening...).
Jon Heyman
@JonHeyman
27s
Blake Taylor and Kenedy Corona are the prospects that go to Houston for Marisnick. Don't know anything about Corona but put up nice numbers this season.
Not a fan of this move
Link - ( New Window )
if that's all it is then who cares.
He is cheaper than Lagares and offers greater upside. I think it will depend what prospects we gave up. Perhaps Carlos Beltran thinks highly of him or the source that informed us that J.D. Davis was being undervalued felt the same about Marisnick.
BVW and the Wilpons can't go soon enough. This is the type of crap an amateur sitting in the GM's chair with Jeff Wilponsi in his ear makes.
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just kept Lagares than giving up prospects for this guy. Not a fan.
He is cheaper than Lagares and offers greater upside. I think it will depend what prospects we gave up. Perhaps Carlos Beltran thinks highly of him or the source that informed us that J.D. Davis was being undervalued felt the same about Marisnick.
C'mon Mike. Marisnick has played 685 MLB games and will be 29 opening day, how is that comporable to JD Davis? He is what he is.
Quote:
In comment 14703958 Metnut said:
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just kept Lagares than giving up prospects for this guy. Not a fan.
He is cheaper than Lagares and offers greater upside. I think it will depend what prospects we gave up. Perhaps Carlos Beltran thinks highly of him or the source that informed us that J.D. Davis was being undervalued felt the same about Marisnick.
C'mon Mike. Marisnick has played 685 MLB games and will be 29 opening day, how is that comporable to JD Davis? He is what he is.
I would rather have Marisnick than Lagares considering the price. Blake Taylor showed improvement numberswise after moving to the bullpen, but with guys like Ryan, Villines, Gilliam, etc. in the system did we really need yet another relief pitcher? Know absolutely nothing about Corona.
not a fan, but not going to be pissed off about it either.
It didn't take long to establish that Steve Cohen's bankroll isn't in play yet did it? LOL.
Obviously defensive replacement is the main gain but if Mets play him more regularly it will be the first time in his career he would be able to be fully evaluated.
Not sure there was anyone available with the same metrics defensively, dont like Margot and Pillar/Hamilton are hurt often.
Add some pitchers and a catcher with some real upside and then we can start talking about whether or not this roster/team is improved vs. last year. Either Toronto catcher would still make a lot of sense. Keuchel, Porcello, or even Gio would make sense to replace Wheeler or god forbid add extra depth. Signing Treinan, Betances, and Brach would surely go a long way to feeling better about the BP.
It's not the be all end all but they should have spent more and got a better player.
At roughly 3 million he's going to have a bigger role than 24th or 25th man. I expect him to see at least 300-400 PA's and see a lot of PT.
Ironically most of these guys we dealt for CF'ers the past couple years seem more like non-prospects than that young IFA they dealt for Wilmer fucking Font.
Ironically most of these guys we dealt for CF'ers the past couple years seem more like non-prospects than that young IFA they dealt for Wilmer fucking Font.
Adam Hill just brought back a legit MLB catcher in Narvaez so I don't think it's fair to suggest the Mets only dealt insignificant pieces in these deals. Taylor is close to the bigs and impressed out of the pen this year.
318 PA's with a contender last year. Expect at least that with injury prone Nimmo and maybe even Cespedes.
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to be clear im not sure which category any of the 5 belong in, but dealing non-prospects is insignificant.
Ironically most of these guys we dealt for CF'ers the past couple years seem more like non-prospects than that young IFA they dealt for Wilmer fucking Font.
Adam Hill just brought back a legit MLB catcher in Narvaez so I don't think it's fair to suggest the Mets only dealt insignificant pieces in these deals. Taylor is close to the bigs and impressed out of the pen this year.
Which is why I specifically said "I'm not sure which category any of the 5 belong in". Wouldn't that pretty much be the opposite of suggesting they only dealt non-prospects? Just pointing out at least a few of the 5 were likely non-prospects.
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and that was in a year where Nimmo missed 1/2 of the season. Hard to envision this guy getting more time than that unless Nimmo misses even more time next year.
318 PA's with a contender last year. Expect at least that with injury prone Nimmo and maybe even Cespedes.
What he did in Houston is less relevant than the opportunity and situation here. They were a contender for sure, but they had 2 above replacement OF'ers (Springer, Brantley). We've potentially got 3 or 4 depending on where JDD/McNeil play. Cespedes could be another but he played 0 games last year and I don't expect that number to rise much this year. The Lagares role of last year, when the main CF was injured half of the year would seem to be a reasonable ceiling unless Nimmo misses even more time.
I'm a lot less worried about the 3 guys in JDD trade and the 5 guys from the CF trades.
In total those deals account for 13 prospects, Font got traded for 1 so that's 14. Can't recall the other 3 off the top of my head though. We traded Wahl somewhere.
Jarrett Seidler
@jaseidler
21m
Marisnick as a spare outfielder to play against a tough lefty and come in late to run and play defense is very useful. If he starts more than twice a week, its a problem, and I dont think the Mets coughed up two prospects and an actual MLB salary to use him like Houston did
Jarrett Seidler
@jaseidler
21m
Marisnick as a spare outfielder to play against a tough lefty and come in late to run and play defense is very useful. If he starts more than twice a week, its a problem, and I dont think the Mets coughed up two prospects and an actual MLB salary to use him like Houston did
That sounds like the exact role he'd be filling here.
maybe in 5 years things will be different...
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Jarrett Seidler
@jaseidler
21m
Marisnick as a spare outfielder to play against a tough lefty and come in late to run and play defense is very useful. If he starts more than twice a week, its a problem, and I dont think the Mets coughed up two prospects and an actual MLB salary to use him like Houston did
That sounds like the exact role he'd be filling here.
1. Seidler doesn't agree given the "cost" 2. He had 318 PA's in Houston, I suggested 300-400 PA's, where is the disagreement?
I trust Seidler's evaluation that this guy can be a contributor starting rarely against lefties and as a late game base runner/defender. Since that's exactly what the Mets need to compliment Nimmo I don't think it's such a leap to think they are getting him for a similar role to the one he filled in Houston.
David Adler
@_dadler
4h
The Mets trading for Jake Marisnick is like the Mets trading for a Little Better Keon Broxton
@Mets
25m
Weve signed OF Jarrett Parker and INF Max Moroff (@max_moroff
) to minor league deals with invites to major league #SpringTraining. They join Chasen Shreve who signed a minor league contract with an invite to major league Spring Training in November. #Mets
My first comment about this move is that he is literally a cheaper Lagares or Broxton 2.0 so I'm not exactly hyping it up. It seems like a perfectly fine back of the roster move though (not LOLmets).
Pretty sure I read somewhere yesterday that he deal with SNY goes "into the 2030s".
Dare to dream, Mets fans.
Now, dare implies risk. Yet this dream holds a substantive chance of coming true.
Only Steve Cohen can say with certainty how quickly and aggressively hell infuse his riches into the mom-and-pop store that is the Mets, and the real-life inspiration for Billions hedge-fund maverick Bobby Axelrod comes off as far less loquacious than his fictional counterpart. Nevertheless, conversations with folks who know Cohen, the Mets or both lead one to believe Cohen will make his imprint on this franchise, as one experienced baseball executive put it, sooner than later.
Probably not soon enough to get, say, Gerrit Cole or Anthony Rendon. The agreement for Cohen to take over the Mets from the Wilpons and Saul Katz by 2025 hasnt been completed yet, as the two sides announced Wednesday remember the Mets spent many months in 2011 negotiating with another hedge-fund star, David Einhorn, before the arrangement fell apart short of the finish line and you might have noticed the Hot Stove campaign has moved at a brisker pace than recent predecessors.
Regardless I would agree the sky is the limit next year and it does almost make it a better play to not go for broke right now before they have more time to adjust their strategy from the Wilponzis. If Rendon is sitting there in January you'd have to consider jumping in if it's feasible, but I doubt that's the case.
Extending Thor + Stroman (if he's pitching well) should be job #1 by the all star break.
Also extending Alonso/Mcneil while they have leverage just like Atlanta did with Acuna/Albies should be #2. Especially since both those guys are already older.
Rosario/Nimmo/Conforto we probably need to see a little more before extending. They may be better trade bait. They seem like the types of young players who you'd be able to flip as part of a package for Lindor/Betts types very close to FA. Realmuto next offseason could be a perfect fit too, gotta think the Phillies will run out of room for 100m+ players eventually.
So Omar is like a cat with 9 lives. He's going to survive again. He's becoming the Herb Williams of the Mets.
Ken Rosenthal
@Ken_Rosenthal
Free-agent RHP Brad Brach signs with #Mets, one year, $850K with a player option for $1.25M in 2021, sources tell The Athletic. Brach still owed $500K by #Cubs for 2020, so actually will earn total of $1.35M next season.
Gimme Betances, McHugh and someone like Gausman or Smith
Bob Nightengale
@BNightengale
The #Phillies, luxury tax be damned, are going all in, and plan to pursue free-agent 3B Anthony Rendon.
Getting buy in on that may be tricky and it may end up making more sense to get a guy like McHugh who is a little more role diverse. But I'd be willing to overpay on 1 year deals to try to make it happen (as opposed to making their contracts incentive based).
Bob Nightengale
@BNightengale
The #Phillies, luxury tax be damned, are going all in, and plan to pursue free-agent 3B Anthony Rendon.
must be nice.