Steve Cohen fires back at other MLB owners who are mad at his spending: 'They need to look more at themselves'
The Mets' 2023 payroll is expected to about $335 million. That figure would have been more than what 10 MLB teams are spending on their entire payroll in 2023. The Oakland Athletics are set to have the lowest payroll in baseball in 2023, with a projected $40.9 million payroll. Angelos said he hoped to increase team payroll soon and that he would, "Love to be sitting in New York with $300 million payrolls." The Reds are projected to carry a payroll of $48.6 million in 2023, which ranks 26th in MLB.
wftv.comBoras: Giants wouldn't seal Correa deal, so he called Mets
NEW YORK — (AP) — Carlos Correa was in the St. Regis San Francisco with his parents, brother and in-laws, ready to head to Oracle Park for his introductory news conference. Farhan Zaidi, the Giants' president of baseball operations, had called Boras at 8 a.m. PST Tuesday morning, three hours before the scheduled announcement. Instead of finalizing a $350 million, 13-year agreement with the Giants, Boras struck a $315 million, 12-year deal with the free-spending Mets, and Correa headed to New York for a physical Thursday. Boras said results usually come back within 24-48 hours and timing of an announcement was up to the team. Boras said he then informed the Giants ownership he had struck a deal with the Mets“I think they have beds in those hotel rooms.
wftv.comMLB owners reportedly unhappy with Steve Cohen's spending spree: 'I think it's going to have consequences for him down the road'
The numbers speak for themselves: A $384.7 million payroll for this upcoming season, plus approximately $111 million in luxury tax fees. New York Mets owner Steve Cohen isn't being frugal with his money, and it's caught the ire of some executives and owners of other MLB teams. "I think it's going to have consequences for him down the road," an official with another MLB team told The Athletic's Evan Drellich. And it speaks to how uncomfortable Cohen's spending spree makes teams that have recently operated in largely similar lanes. Others might suggest an actual salary cap to limit Cohen's spending ceiling — something the MLB Players Association has adamantly and successfully resisted.
wftv.comMets, Steve Cohen can't buy rings but can buy relevance — and that's worth a lot
Spring training, indefinitely delayed by the lockout, was mere hours from opening, and nearly everyone wanted to be in Port St. Lucie, Florida: spring home of the New York Mets. A 2021-22 offseason spending spree generated significant interest in the new New York Mets. Once again, despite a Superman-sized coronation in the Bronx, the Mets are challenging the Yankees for “Main Character of MLB” status. And Cohen himself has emerged as a standalone hero to Mets faithful and a villain for the other 29 fan bases. For the Mets and Cohen, it's a coup and the coup de grâce of an offseason already notable for historic spending.
wftv.comMets, Carlos Correa reportedly agree to 12-year $315M contract after Giants flagged medical issue
Breaking: Carlos Correa and the Mets have a deal. — Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 21, 2022Correa will play 3B for the Mets. Story to come @nypost — Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 21, 2022According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Correa's team disagreed with the Giants regarding a medical issue. — Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 21, 2022Correa, 28, had first reportedly agreed to a 13-year, $350 million contract with the Giants back on Dec. 13. Then, just hours before Correa was reportedly going to be introduced in a news conference on Tuesday, the Giants suddenly postponed it.
wftv.comAP source: Mets swoop, snatch Correa for $315M, 12-year deal
In a wild twist overnight, Carlos Correa agreed to a $315 million, 12-year contract with the free-spending New York Mets after his pending deal with the San Francisco Giants came apart over an issue with his physical. “We need one more thing, and this is it,” Mets owner Steve Cohen told The Post from Hawaii. Correa, an All-Star shortstop, would play third base for the Mets, with buddy Francisco Lindor remaining at shortstop. Correa and the Giants agreed on Dec. 13 to a $350 million, 13-year deal, subject to a successful physical, one of the people said. Correa was a free agent one year ago after leaving the Houston Astros, and he reached a $105.3 million deal with the Minnesota Twins.
wftv.comReports: Mets swoop in overnight, snatch Correa for $315M
In a wild twist overnight, Carlos Correa has agreed to sign with the New York Mets hours after his pending deal with the San Francisco Giants fell apart, according to media reports. ESPN also reported the terms of Correa's agreement with New York, citing an anonymous source. Correa, an All-Star shortstop, would play third base for the star-studded Mets, with buddy Francisco Lindor remaining at shortstop. It was not clear if the sides had discussed renegotiating Correa's agreement. Correa was a free agent one year ago after leaving the Houston Astros, and he reached a $105.3 million deal with the Minnesota Twins.
wftv.comVerlander: Cohen persuaded him Mets are building a winner
New York Mets owner Steve Cohen was on the line. That conversation led to an $86.7 million, two-year contract on Dec. 5, a deal that was finalized two days later. Entering their third season under Cohen, the Mets have committed $476.7 million to seven free agents. He also got his first win in nine career World Series starts in Game 5 as Houston beat Philadelphia in six games, earning his second World Series ring. Verlander is guaranteed $43,333,333 in each of the next two seasons, matching Scherzer's annual salary in a $130 million, three-year deal through 2024.
wftv.comVerlander: Mets move 'a leap of faith' that 'has paid off'
“I took a leap of faith, and here we are a few weeks later, and I think that leap of faith has paid off,” Verlander said Tuesday during his introductory news conference at Citi Field. Returning from Tommy John surgery in 2020, Verlander went 18-4 with a major league-low 1.75 ERA this year in 28 starts for the Astros. He also got his first win in nine career World Series starts in Game 5 as Houston beat Philadelphia in six games. Verlander, who turns 40 in February, became the 11th player to win the Cy Young Award at least three times. Verlander is guaranteed $43,333,333 in each of the next two seasons, matching Scherzer's annual salary in a $130 million, three-year deal with the Mets through 2024.
wftv.comVerlander: Mets move 'a leap of faith' that 'has paid off'
Justin Verlander had a one word for what convinced him to sign with the New York Mets: “Steve.” As in owner Steve Cohen and his willingness to spend his hedge-fund fortune to bring the team its first World Series title since 1986. “I took a leap of faith, and here we are a few weeks later, and I think that leap of faith has paid off,” Verlander said Tuesday during his introductory news conference at Citi Field.
news.yahoo.comMets' Cohen, dubbed MLB's new `Goliath,' gets Nimmo to stay
NEW YORK — (AP) — Brandon Nimmo gushed Thursday about remaining with the New York Mets, who guaranteed him $162 million, and agent Scott Boras talked about the difference of dealing with new owner Steve Cohen rather than the old Wilpon regime. "You can envision Steve Cohen hanging on to the Empire State Building. It's maybe not Steve Cohen, it's maybe Steve Kong." Cohen's wife, Alex, sat in the front row as Nimmo, general manager Billy Eppler and manager Buck Showalter spoke. “To be able to start your career with someone, you’ll finish your career with the same team, that’s something really, really special, and not many players get to do that.”___AP MLB: https://apnews.
wftv.comMets set to shatter payroll records, soar to about $350M
Steve Cohen's New York Mets are on track to shatter spending records in his third season as owner, boosting payroll to about $350 million for purposes of the luxury tax and poised to pay a penalty of about $80 million. New York added veteran starters Justin Verlander and Jose Quintana plus reliever David Robertson and Japanese pitcher Kodai Senga while re-signing center fielder Brandon Nimmo.
news.yahoo.comMets add latest pricey arm, land Japanese ace Senga for $75M
NEW YORK — (AP) — Japanese pitcher Kodai Senga and the New York Mets have agreed to a $75 million, five-year contract, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. The person spoke to the AP early Sunday on condition of anonymity because the deal was pending a physical. It is the latest big move for owner Steve Cohen and the busy Mets, who have been spending freely during a whirlwind week. Senga figures to slot into a revamped rotation headed by three-time Cy Young Award winners Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander. On Saturday, the Mets completed a $162 million, eight-year contract to bring back free agent center fielder Brandon Nimmo.
wftv.comWhat should the Mets do after Jacob deGrom's move to Rangers? Here are the options, starting with Justin Verlander
Justin Verlander, Carlos Rodon or a bulk buy? Justin Verlander roared back from Tommy John surgery at age 39 to win his third Cy Young and second World Series ring. Right now, the Mets rotation behind Scherzer goes: Carlos Carrasco, Tylor Megill, David Peterson and Elieser Hernandez. Not committing $35-40 million per year to deGrom might allow them to reel in several options and assemble more depth. Andrew Benintendi, a midseason Yankees addition now on the free agent market, bats lefty and fits the Mets' recent preference for contact hitters.
wftv.comManfred sure Mets-Yanks collusion query will find no issue
We will put ourselves in position to demonstrate credibly to the MLBPA that this is not an issue. Manfred, speaking at the end of this week's owners' meetings, said he will not directly be involved in the investigation. Owners also agreed to pay $280 million to players for violations following the 1985, '86 and '87 seasons. Manfred admitted the recent news of a class-action lawsuit against FTX, along with celebrities, athletes and teams who promoted it, was "jarring." Manfred said FTX would not return as a sponsor for the league in 2023.
wftv.comReport: MLB investigating if Mets and Yankees illegally communicated about Aaron Judge
Aaron Judge is this offseason's biggest free agent prize, but the New York Mets reportedly aren't interested. The relevant text of the article:On [April 8, the day Judge rejected the Yankees' final extension offer], Mets sources said that they did not plan to fight the Yankees this offseason for Judge. Owners Steve Cohen and Hal Steinbrenner enjoy a mutually respectful relationship, and do not expect to upend that with a high-profile bidding war. The only way people involved can see the Mets changing course and pursuing Judge would be if the Yankees somehow declared themselves totally out of the bidding. Fortunately for Judge, he figures to have a big-time market even if the Mets' checkbook is closed.
wftv.comMLB GMs weigh bigger bets in Las Vegas than those at tables
LAS VEGAS — (AP) — In the hallways and meeting rooms of Resorts World, baseball general managers are starting to weigh bigger bets than the wagers placed on tables and machines in the casino downstairs. “It's going to come back pretty strong,” predicted player agent Alan Nero, managing director of Octagon's baseball division. It will break the previous high for a reliever, set when Aroldis Chapman returned to the New York Yankees after the 2016 season for an $86 million, five-year agreement. Chapman voided the last two years and reached a $48 million, three-year deal that brought his earnings to $104 million over six seasons. The Mets' payroll was $273.9 million as of Aug. 31, with final figures that include bonuses yet to be compiled.
wftv.comBrewers president of baseball ops David Stearns steps down; could Mets be his next stop?
The Milwaukee Brewers announced some stunning news on Thursday: David Stearns, president of baseball operations, has stepped down from his position and will transition to an advisory role. Matt Arnold, current GM of the Brewers, will succeed him as president of baseball operations. The Milwaukee Brewers today announced that David Stearns is stepping down as president of baseball operations. Stearns, 37, became the Brewers' general manager at the end of the 2015 season (becoming the president of baseball ops in 2019) and has had a major impact on the Brewers' fortunes. And the Mets just so happen to be in need of a new team president.
wftv.comMets flash cash, pays off through summer, spent by playoffs
It really hurts,” Pete Alonso said after Sunday night’s 6-0 loss to San Diego ended the Mets’ postseason return just three games after it began. It’s kind of the disbanding of the group because every single guy in this clubhouse is really awesome. And it just sucks that it’s not going to be the same group next year because you have free agency, trade possibilities," he said. He would etch his name alongside Gil Hodges and Davey Johnson in Mets lore if he pushes this team to the top. “I think I told our players, I don’t want them going around apologizing for winning 101, 102 games,” he said.
wftv.com101 and done: How will the 2022 Mets' soaring summer and crushing wild-card exit be remembered?
It left Mets fans grasping for the joy of an amazing season, and getting a gut punch in return. Mets join club of 100-win MLB teams bounced by playoff chaosThe 2022 Mets will be a tale of misery, but they already have company, and they’re going to have more. The 2022 Mets were a relentless team for much of the summer. There's no Derek Jeter flip play to traumatize 2022 Mets fans on every highlight reel for the rest of forever, no. Did the 2022 Mets live too fast?
wftv.comMets, minor leaguers plan meeting to discuss pay, conditions
Leaders from the New York Mets recently held what’s believed to be an unprecedented meeting with the nonprofit group Advocates for Minor Leaguers to discuss pay and working conditions in the minors, and another meeting is planned soon that will include players from the team’s farm system.
Larger than life: Mets unveil Seaver statue at Citi Field
Diamondbacks Mets Baseball A statue of the late New York Mets player Tom Seaver is revealed outside CitiField before a baseball game between the New York Mets and the Arizona Diamondbacks, Friday, April 15, 2022, in New York. A long-awaited statue of pitcher Tom Seaver was unveiled Friday by the New York Mets in a 40-minute ceremony that began about 2 1/2 hours before their home opener against Arizona. “Tom Seaver is our royalty,” Piazza said. “He transformed the Mets, transfixed New York and won the hearts of Mets fans." Under the previous ownership of the Wilpon and Katz families, the club announced plans for a Seaver statue in June 2019, when the address of Citi Field was changed to 41 Seaver Way.
wftv.comChampion Braves open camp with Acuña, Morton but no Freeman
Braves Baseball Atlanta Braves manager, Brian Snitker, smiles as he talks to the media during the start of Major League Baseball spring training at the CoolToday Park Sunday March 13, 2022, in North Port, Fl. Around the corner, Ronald Acuña Jr. and Cristian Pache pulled up in matching, glitzy-gold SUVs and posed for a photo. Big leaguers filed into camps across Florida and Arizona on Sunday for the first official day of spring training following a 99-day lockout. Snitker texted Freeman shortly after the firewall preventing management from speaking with players dropped at the end of the lockout Thursday. “I’m ready,” Acuña said on his way into the clubhouseNot quite, but the Braves are pleased with his progress.
wftv.comFormer Mets acting GM Zack Scott acquitted of DUI charges
NEW YORK — (AP) — Former New York Mets acting general manager Zack Scott was acquitted Thursday of drunken-driving charges stemming from his arrest last August after he attended a fundraiser at team owner Steve Cohen's house, his attorney announced. “Today, after hearing and seeing all the evidence against our client, a judge in the White Plains City Court acquitted Zack Scott of all criminal charges against him,” lawyer Bruce Bendish said in a statement. The arrest came hours after Scott attended a fundraiser for the team’s Amazin’ Mets Foundation at Cohen’s house in Connecticut. The Mets hired Scott in late 2020 as assistant general manager under general manager Jared Porter, a colleague from the Boston Red Sox. Scott was promoted to acting GM after Porter was fired over sexually explicit text messages he had sent to a female reporter in 2016 while working for the Chicago Cubs.
wftv.comTo the Max: Scherzer, Mets finalize $130M, 3-year deal
NEW YORK — (AP) — Mets owner Steve Cohen promised a max effort bringing a World Series back to New York. Scherzer won his first Cy Young in 2013 with Detroit, then consecutive best-pitcher awards in 2016 and '17 with Washington. DeGrom won the Cy Young Award in 2018 and '19, and Scherzer will be the seventh multi-time Cy Young winner to pitch for the Mets — also Tom Glavine, Pedro Martinez, Bret Saberhagen, Johan Santana and Tom Seaver. Scherzer has also been teammates with Cy Young winners David Price, Justin Verlander, Rick Porcello, Robbie Ray, Brandon Webb and Randy Johnson. The Mets lost out on left-hander Steven Matz, whose $44 million, four-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals was finalized Monday.
wftv.comChristie's offers a rare Babe Ruth notched bat
Christie's is auctioning off a private single owner collection of rare baseball memorabilia including a Babe Ruth notched baseball bat and a letter denying reinstatement to a player involved in the Black Sox 1919 World Series scandal. (Oct. 4)
news.yahoo.comMets place Scott on paid leave, acting GM pleads not guilty
Nationals Mets Baseball New York Mets fans watch a baseball game against the Washington Nationals during the seventh inning, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin) (Corey Sipkin)NEW YORK — (AP) — Acting general manager Zack Scott was placed on administrative leave Thursday by the New York Mets following his arrest on charges of driving while intoxicated. He is due back in White Plains City Court on Oct. 7. In a statement Thursday, the Mets said they placed Scott on administrative leave “until further notice," and team president Sandy Alderson will assume Scott's responsibilities. Scott will be paid while on administrative leave, the club confirmed.
wftv.comMets respond to Cohen tweet with 12-inning win over Giants
Mets Giants Baseball New York Mets' Kevin Pillar watches his three-run home run against the San Francisco Giants during the 12th inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021. Six Giants pitchers combined to blank the Mets until the ninth inning, when J.D. The teams traded runs in the 11th before the Mets scored four runs against Tyler Chatwood (1-3) in the 12th. Lamonte Wade Jr. and Tommy La Stella recorded RBIs for San Francisco. San Francisco took two of three from Oakland in Part 1 of the Bay Bridge Series in June.
wftv.comMets fire 2 high-ranking employees after workplace review
Callaway-Ineligible List Baseball FILE - In this Sunday, April 28, 2019, file photo, then-New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway stands by the dugout before a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Citi Field, in New York. Former New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway was suspended by Major League Baseball on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 through at least the end of the 2022 season following an investigation of sexual harassment allegations. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File) (Seth Wenig)NEW YORK — (AP) — The New York Mets have fired two high-ranking employees and will overhaul their legal and human resources departments on the recommendation of independent investigators hired to review the organization following allegations of sexual misconduct against former manager Mickey Callaway. The team is updating its legal and human resources protocols to prioritize responding to complaints in a timely manner and expanding the scope of anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies. Minor league hitting coach Ryan Ellis was also fired this winter after three female Mets employees complained to human resources that Ellis had directed lewd comments to them in person and via text message in 2018.
wftv.comMets fire 2 high-ranking employees after workplace review
The New York Mets have fired two high-ranking employees and will overhaul their legal and human resources departments on the recommendation of independent investigators hired to review the organization following allegations of sexual misconduct against former manager Mickey Callaway.
Man Pleads Guilty to Threatening to Lynch 2 Members of Congress
A Missouri man pleaded guilty Thursday to charges that he had threatened to lynch a Black congressman the day after the Jan. 6 siege at the U.S. Capitol and a Jewish congressman in 2019, court records show. The man, Kenneth Hubert, 63, of Marionville, Missouri, was arrested in March after, prosecutors said, he had directed the threats at U.S. Reps. Emanuel Cleaver II, D-Mo., and Steve Cohen, D-Tenn. According to a plea agreement filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri,
news.yahoo.comRep. Steve Cohen says judging by Marjorie Taylor Greene's press conference she 'didn't learn a lot' about the Holocaust, after she apologized for previous remarks
Greene wouldn't recant her comparison of the Democratic Party to Hitler's National Socialist Party after she apologized for equating mask mandates to the Holocaust.
news.yahoo.comButtigieg visits closed Interstate 40 bridge in Tennessee
U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg came to Tennessee to learn how the closure of the Interstate 40 bridge connecting that state and Arkansas has affected freight movement since it was shut down more than three weeks ago when a crack was found in the span.
AP source: Lindor, Mets agree to $341 million, 10-year deal
Lindor was eligible for free agency after this season and said this spring he wouldn't negotiate with the Mets on a long-term contract after opening day. New York added Lindor knowing he could walk after the 2021 season, but the team said it would try to negotiate a long-term pact. Lindor will retain his $22.3 million salary for 2021 before the contract kicks in for 2022. Only Mike Trout's $426.5 million, 12-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels and Mookie Betts' $365 million, 12-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers are worth more. Lindor's deal is also by far the largest payout ever from the Mets, surpassing contracts for third baseman David Wright ($138 million), pitchers Jacob deGrom ($137.5 million) and Johan Santana ($137.5 million).
Chris Christie joins Mets' board of directors under Cohen
Christie has joined the board of directors of the New York Mets. His son Andrew has worked for the team since 2018 and is the Mets' coordinator of international scouting. Chris Christie has joined the board of directors of the New York Mets. Jeanne Melino also joined the Mets board under new owner Steve Cohen, and New York said Friday she will be hired by the team as senior vice president of the Amazin’ Mets Foundation. The Mets' board also includes chairman emeritus Fred Wilpon and vice chairman Andrew Cohen, who is not related to Steve.
Watch Live: House Judiciary hearing on violence and discrimination against Asian Americans
A House Judiciary subcommittee is holding a hearing Thursday focused on the rise of violence and discrimination against Asian Americans. The hearing comes amid a spike in assaults on Asian Americans nationwide. How to watch House Judiciary Committee hearing on violence and discrimination against Asian Americans todayWhat : House Judiciary Committee holds hearing on violence and discrimination against Asian Americans: House Judiciary Committee holds hearing on violence and discrimination against Asian Americans Date: Thursday, March 18, 2021Thursday, March 18, 2021 Time: 10 a.m. On Capitol Hill, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Wednesday acknowledged that hate crimes against Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic have "skyrocketed." Harris and Mr. Biden will also meet with Asian American community leaders during their trip to Atlanta on Friday, the White House confirmed to CBS News.
cbsnews.comOpponents suspect environmental racism in pipeline project
Robinson's land is coveted by Valero Energy and Plains All American Pipeline, and their joint venture, the Byhalia Connection. “It’s just not fair.”The Byhalia Connection would link the east-west Diamond Pipeline through the Valero refinery in Memphis to the north-south Capline Pipeline near Byhalia, Mississippi. Opponents suspect environmental racism — the practice of placing toxic factories, landfills and other polluters in minority neighborhoods and indigenous areas, where voiceless residents only realize the danger after people get sick. Byhalia Connection spokeswoman Katie Martin said the comment doesn't reflect the company's views. Byhalia Connection representatives say the pipeline will make refineries along the artery more efficient and poses no threat to the aquifer.
Alderson details Mets' pursuit of Bauer, pleased by results
This photo from a Zoom press conference shows New York Mets President Sandy Alderson, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020. Alderson returned as team president Friday when Steve Cohen bought the Mets from the Wilpon and Katz families. Two higher-profile incidents both involved women, including a college student who accused the 30-year-old Bauer of harassing her online. We understood what the risks were associated with some of the social media stuff. Alderson said he never spoke directly with Bauer but talked with the pitcher’s agent about the social media presence and the need for Bauer to take responsibility for it.