Sports Biz: Wilpons sell NY Mets to billionaire Steve Cohen DONE! Update: New Pervert GM fired 30 days later now the ex coach
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Source: Steve Cohen deal to take over Mets has fallen through
Joe Pantorno
3 seconds ago
3 min read
Steve Cohen (right). (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Lincoln Center)
The future of the New York Mets revolving around potential new owner Steve Cohen might not be as concrete as first believed.
A source with knowledge of the situation has told amNewYork Metro that the billionaire’s acquisition of the Mets has fallen through, with an announcement coming as soon as this week.
Barstool Sports initially mentioned possible rumors earlier Tuesday afternoon.
“The parties are subject to confidentiality obligations, including a mutual non-disclosure agreement, and therefore cannot comment,” the Mets told amNewYork.
This comes two months after the Wilpon family — who currently owned the Mets through their real estate company, Sterling Equities — announced that Cohen was negotiating to take over a majority stake of the team for $2.6 billion.
The 63-year-old Cohen currently owns a minority share of the team and is the founder of the hedge fund, Point72 Asset Management. He previously controlled SAC Capital Advisors which in 2013, was docked $1.8 billion due to U.S. criminal and civil settlements.
Jeff and Fred Wilpon were planned to be phased out over a five-year period while Cohen would have become the richest owner in Major League Baseball — potentially injecting some of his $13.7 billion net worth (per Forbes) into the franchise that has been frugal under current ownership.
The source told amNewYork that some of the demands from the Wilpon Family regarding their removal accelerated the disintegration of the deal.
These latest developments are a continuation of the organization’s turbulent offseason. Carlos Beltran was fired two months into his stint as team manager for his involvement in the Houston Astros’ 2017 sign-stealing scandal.
The Wilpons have been pegged by many as the reason why the Mets have been a second-division team for a majority of the last 20 years. Despite playing in the largest sports market in the country and being valued as the sixth-most expensive franchise by Forbes, the Wilpons’ refusal to spend money on the best possible players and personnel have kept the Mets in the Yankees’ shadow in New York.
Much of that stems from the fallout of the Bernie Madoff scandal 12 years ago, which saw the family lose hundreds of millions of dollars and the subject of a lawsuit from other Madoff victims. The suit was settled, with the Mets agreeing to pay $162 million to the plaintiffs.
Cohen, who grew up a Mets fan on Long Island, is seen by many fans as the man to lead the franchise into a new age where he’d spend freely on putting a top-notch product on the field.
The Mets already have a promising foundation in place, coming off an 86-win season. However, they missed the playoffs for a third-straight season with a third-place finish in the loaded National League East.
Joe Pantorno
3 seconds ago
3 min read
Steve Cohen (right). (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Lincoln Center)
The future of the New York Mets revolving around potential new owner Steve Cohen might not be as concrete as first believed.
A source with knowledge of the situation has told amNewYork Metro that the billionaire’s acquisition of the Mets has fallen through, with an announcement coming as soon as this week.
Barstool Sports initially mentioned possible rumors earlier Tuesday afternoon.
“The parties are subject to confidentiality obligations, including a mutual non-disclosure agreement, and therefore cannot comment,” the Mets told amNewYork.
This comes two months after the Wilpon family — who currently owned the Mets through their real estate company, Sterling Equities — announced that Cohen was negotiating to take over a majority stake of the team for $2.6 billion.
The 63-year-old Cohen currently owns a minority share of the team and is the founder of the hedge fund, Point72 Asset Management. He previously controlled SAC Capital Advisors which in 2013, was docked $1.8 billion due to U.S. criminal and civil settlements.
Jeff and Fred Wilpon were planned to be phased out over a five-year period while Cohen would have become the richest owner in Major League Baseball — potentially injecting some of his $13.7 billion net worth (per Forbes) into the franchise that has been frugal under current ownership.
The source told amNewYork that some of the demands from the Wilpon Family regarding their removal accelerated the disintegration of the deal.
These latest developments are a continuation of the organization’s turbulent offseason. Carlos Beltran was fired two months into his stint as team manager for his involvement in the Houston Astros’ 2017 sign-stealing scandal.
The Wilpons have been pegged by many as the reason why the Mets have been a second-division team for a majority of the last 20 years. Despite playing in the largest sports market in the country and being valued as the sixth-most expensive franchise by Forbes, the Wilpons’ refusal to spend money on the best possible players and personnel have kept the Mets in the Yankees’ shadow in New York.
Much of that stems from the fallout of the Bernie Madoff scandal 12 years ago, which saw the family lose hundreds of millions of dollars and the subject of a lawsuit from other Madoff victims. The suit was settled, with the Mets agreeing to pay $162 million to the plaintiffs.
Cohen, who grew up a Mets fan on Long Island, is seen by many fans as the man to lead the franchise into a new age where he’d spend freely on putting a top-notch product on the field.
The Mets already have a promising foundation in place, coming off an 86-win season. However, they missed the playoffs for a third-straight season with a third-place finish in the loaded National League East.
Mets for sale with 'no preconditions regarding control of the team:' report
Deal with Steve Cohen fell through on Thursday night
By Scott Thompson | 5:02PM
On Thursday evening, the Mets released a statement confirming reports that the deal with Steve Cohen to buy a majority stake in the team had fallen through.
"The transaction between Sterling and Steve Cohen was a highly complicated one," the statement read. "Despite the efforts of the parties over the past several months, it became apparent that the transaction as contemplated would have been too difficult to execute.
Sterling intends now to pursue a new transaction and has engaged Allen & Company to manage that process."
Well, according to Bloomberg, that new transaction they are seeking has one major difference.
The report is saying that there will be "no preconditions regarding control of the team," and that would mean whoever purchases would likely have full control once the sale is completed.
In the original deal with Cohen, a five-year transition -- which SNY's Andy Martino said wasn't the root of the deal going sour -- was in it to begin with. However, this is a big change now for any prospective buyers, and it will likely drive up that price as well.
It was reported that Cohen's price tag was $2.6 billion, an MLB-record. But, with full autonomy potentially on the table, it's expected to be even more.
"In most cases an immediate sale with control will lead to a higher price than a sale today with a future option of control," sports consultant Marc Ganis told Bloomberg. "Most parties who buy a team want to own and operate it sooner rather than later."
A Bloomberg source said Allen & Company are expected to begin their sales process on Monday.
Deal with Steve Cohen fell through on Thursday night
By Scott Thompson | 5:02PM
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On Thursday evening, the Mets released a statement confirming reports that the deal with Steve Cohen to buy a majority stake in the team had fallen through.
"The transaction between Sterling and Steve Cohen was a highly complicated one," the statement read. "Despite the efforts of the parties over the past several months, it became apparent that the transaction as contemplated would have been too difficult to execute.
Sterling intends now to pursue a new transaction and has engaged Allen & Company to manage that process."
Well, according to Bloomberg, that new transaction they are seeking has one major difference.
The report is saying that there will be "no preconditions regarding control of the team," and that would mean whoever purchases would likely have full control once the sale is completed.
In the original deal with Cohen, a five-year transition -- which SNY's Andy Martino said wasn't the root of the deal going sour -- was in it to begin with. However, this is a big change now for any prospective buyers, and it will likely drive up that price as well.
It was reported that Cohen's price tag was $2.6 billion, an MLB-record. But, with full autonomy potentially on the table, it's expected to be even more.
"In most cases an immediate sale with control will lead to a higher price than a sale today with a future option of control," sports consultant Marc Ganis told Bloomberg. "Most parties who buy a team want to own and operate it sooner rather than later."
A Bloomberg source said Allen & Company are expected to begin their sales process on Monday.
Mets ownership still intends to sell team; Wilpons reportedly willing to cede control immediately
An original deal with Steve Cohen fell apart last week
In December, the New York Mets announced that minority owner Steve Cohen was in negotiations with Fred Wilpon to purchase a controlling interest of the franchise. The plan was for the Wilpons, the franchise's owners since 2002, to remain in place for five seasons before ceding full control to Cohen, the billionaire CEO and president of Point72 Asset Management.
Some two months later, those plans will not see the light of day and Cohen will not take over control -- in five years or otherwise.
Tuesday night, the New York Post reported that Cohen was ending his talks with the Wilpons, and that he's "deeply unhappy with the Wilpons changing the terms of the deal at a very late stage." As the Post notes, this sounds similar to what happened the last time the Wilpons tried selling the team, back in 2011 to David Einhorn.
Sterling Partners, the Wilpons' firm, later released the following statement:
"The transaction between Sterling and Steve Cohen was a highly complicated one. Despite the efforts of the parties over the past several months, it became apparent that the transaction as contemplated would have been too difficult to execute. Sterling intends now to pursue a new transaction and has engaged Allen & Company to manage that process."
What may make that pursuit easier if the Wilpons' reported willingness to cede control immediately upon finding a buyer. Scott Soshnick of Bloomberg News reports the following:
The Mets initially raised concern to a problem with the Cohen deal on Tuesday. The team responded to murmurs about Cohen possibly backing out of the deal by saying, "The parties are subject to confidentiality obligations, including a mutual non-disclosure agreement, and therefore cannot comment," in a statement. Generally, it's not a good sign when a team feels the need to respond publicly about ongoing negotiations, or when the response is essentially a no-comment comment. Fair or otherwise, the Mets issuing a statement implied that there is something worth commenting on that deviates from normal operating procedures. That turned out to be the case.
This is the second major bit of bad news the Mets have received since the start of the new year. The Mets had to part ways with manager Carlos Beltran, whose hiring was almost universally praised, before he had overseen a game due to his involvement in the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal. The Mets have since hired Luis Rojas as their skipper.
An original deal with Steve Cohen fell apart last week
- by R.J. Anderson
- @r_j_anderson
- 1 hr ago • 2 min read
In December, the New York Mets announced that minority owner Steve Cohen was in negotiations with Fred Wilpon to purchase a controlling interest of the franchise. The plan was for the Wilpons, the franchise's owners since 2002, to remain in place for five seasons before ceding full control to Cohen, the billionaire CEO and president of Point72 Asset Management.
Some two months later, those plans will not see the light of day and Cohen will not take over control -- in five years or otherwise.
Tuesday night, the New York Post reported that Cohen was ending his talks with the Wilpons, and that he's "deeply unhappy with the Wilpons changing the terms of the deal at a very late stage." As the Post notes, this sounds similar to what happened the last time the Wilpons tried selling the team, back in 2011 to David Einhorn.
Sterling Partners, the Wilpons' firm, later released the following statement:
"The transaction between Sterling and Steve Cohen was a highly complicated one. Despite the efforts of the parties over the past several months, it became apparent that the transaction as contemplated would have been too difficult to execute. Sterling intends now to pursue a new transaction and has engaged Allen & Company to manage that process."
What may make that pursuit easier if the Wilpons' reported willingness to cede control immediately upon finding a buyer. Scott Soshnick of Bloomberg News reports the following:
This suggests that the Wilpons are now motivated sellers. Given the rapidity with which MLB franchises appreciate and the prestige that comes with owning a team, a new buyer shouldn't be difficult to find.
The Mets initially raised concern to a problem with the Cohen deal on Tuesday. The team responded to murmurs about Cohen possibly backing out of the deal by saying, "The parties are subject to confidentiality obligations, including a mutual non-disclosure agreement, and therefore cannot comment," in a statement. Generally, it's not a good sign when a team feels the need to respond publicly about ongoing negotiations, or when the response is essentially a no-comment comment. Fair or otherwise, the Mets issuing a statement implied that there is something worth commenting on that deviates from normal operating procedures. That turned out to be the case.
This is the second major bit of bad news the Mets have received since the start of the new year. The Mets had to part ways with manager Carlos Beltran, whose hiring was almost universally praised, before he had overseen a game due to his involvement in the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal. The Mets have since hired Luis Rojas as their skipper.
Apparently Alex Rodriguez may buy the team.
MLB rumors: 4 reasons ex-Yankee Alex Rodriguez would be perfect Mets owner
Updated 9:27 AM; Today 9:00 AM
Ex-Yankee Alex Rodriguez is rumored to be a prospective Mets owner.AP
4
By Joe Giglio | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Now this is the best rumor of the winter.
As the potential of ex-Yankees star Alex Rodriguez as the next Mets owner gains traction around the sport, everyone associated with the game should be doing jumping jacks in excitement.
Here are four reasons Rodriguez owning the Mets would be great for the sport.
1. Love of the game
If there’s one thing Rodriguez has always shown, it’s a passion for baseball. As a kid, that passion was for the Mets. Baseball could use less corporate, calculated talk from owners and front offices. A Rodriguez-led ownership group could be willing to spend big and make huge decisions from the heart from time to time, something the game now misses.
2. Yankees-Mets rivalry would be spiced up
Here’s a ranking of who would benefit most from Rodriguez owning the Mets:
-Mets fans
-Sports talk radio in New York City
Could you imagine the race for the headlines, monologues and back pages when, say, Rodriguez and Mets ownership try to steal a Yankees star in free agency? Or when the Yankees are outbid by Rodriguez for a marquee free agent?
It would be gold for reaction.
3. Sign me up for Derek Jeter vs. Alex Rodriguez for years to come
Here’s one you may not have thought of: The former teammates always felt like in-clubhouse rivals. Owning opposing teams in the same division would make that undeniably true.
Buy Mets Tickets: StubHub, SeatGeek
4. Redemption story would be complete
Sports rarely sees a story like Rodriguez’s tale. From young phenom, to poster child for the sport, to all-time villain, to rehabilitated media darling, to owner and face of one of the sport’s biggest brands.
For the story to be totally complete, buying the Mets would be the perfect ending.
Updated 9:27 AM; Today 9:00 AM
Ex-Yankee Alex Rodriguez is rumored to be a prospective Mets owner.AP
4
By Joe Giglio | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Now this is the best rumor of the winter.
As the potential of ex-Yankees star Alex Rodriguez as the next Mets owner gains traction around the sport, everyone associated with the game should be doing jumping jacks in excitement.
Here are four reasons Rodriguez owning the Mets would be great for the sport.
1. Love of the game
If there’s one thing Rodriguez has always shown, it’s a passion for baseball. As a kid, that passion was for the Mets. Baseball could use less corporate, calculated talk from owners and front offices. A Rodriguez-led ownership group could be willing to spend big and make huge decisions from the heart from time to time, something the game now misses.
2. Yankees-Mets rivalry would be spiced up
Here’s a ranking of who would benefit most from Rodriguez owning the Mets:
-Mets fans
-Sports talk radio in New York City
Could you imagine the race for the headlines, monologues and back pages when, say, Rodriguez and Mets ownership try to steal a Yankees star in free agency? Or when the Yankees are outbid by Rodriguez for a marquee free agent?
It would be gold for reaction.
3. Sign me up for Derek Jeter vs. Alex Rodriguez for years to come
Here’s one you may not have thought of: The former teammates always felt like in-clubhouse rivals. Owning opposing teams in the same division would make that undeniably true.
Buy Mets Tickets: StubHub, SeatGeek
4. Redemption story would be complete
Sports rarely sees a story like Rodriguez’s tale. From young phenom, to poster child for the sport, to all-time villain, to rehabilitated media darling, to owner and face of one of the sport’s biggest brands.
For the story to be totally complete, buying the Mets would be the perfect ending.
Alex Rodriguez emerges as potential Mets buyer
By Thornton McEnery
February 14, 2020 | 1:42pm | Updated
MORE ON:
NEW YORK METS
We won't get Yoenis Cespedes' side of wild boar tale
Tim Tebow flirted with XFL before choosing the Mets grind
Robinson Cano eyeing vintage campaign with Mets
Yoenis Cespedes taking huge step in long-winded recovery
If anyone thought the soap-opera sale of the New York Mets couldn’t get any crazier after the Steve Cohen debacle, they were A-Rod levels of wrong.
According to multiple sources, the newest name to emerge as a potential suitor to buy the Mets is none other than Alex Rodriguez. Baseball and Wall Street insiders told The Post that the controversial former Yankees superstar is “kicking the tires” on the idea of getting into an upcoming auction for the team. This comes after Cohen, the billionaire hedge fund manager, walked away from a $2.6 billion deal for 80 percent of the team last week upon learning that the Wilpon family would not be surrendering control for the first five years of his ownership.
While sources told The Post that Cohen has not yet fully given up on his chances of purchasing the Mets, rumors of A-Rod’s interest have intensified.
“He’s a businessman and a baseball man based in New York,” said one A-Rod ally. “Why wouldn’t he be looking at this?”
A self-described childhood Mets fan who idolized Keith Hernandez in his youth, A-Rod flirted with signing with the team as a free agent in 2000. That dream was scuttled by then-Mets GM Steve Phillips’ disinterest in meeting A-Rod’s contract demands and creating what Phillips infamously termed “a 24-plus-one roster.” A-Rod eventually signed an unprecedented $252 million, 10-year deal with the Texas Rangers. He was traded to the Yankees following the 2003 season.
Sources caution that an A-Rod Mets bid would be a long shot and would require putting together an ownership group of even wealthier investors, much like the deal that his former teammate and frenemy Derek Jeter made to buy A-Rod’s hometown team, the Miami Marlins. In 2017, Jeter put down $25 million alongside 15 other investors to reach a $1.2 billion deal that made him the controlling partner and CEO of the organization.
“[Rodriguez] genuinely loves the Mets,” said one source familiar with A-Rod. “He and J.Lo have talked about him buying a team ever since Jeter got the Marlins.”
Enlarge ImageAlex RodriguezCorbis via Getty Images
Another source cautioned that large ownership groups are not the preferred kind of buyer for MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and his owners these days, but that the idea of putting A-Rod and Jeter in the same division as owners might be too irresistible if the money is right for the Wilpons. The Mets are thought to be alerting prospective buyers of their demands in an auction sale in the coming days, expected to be around $3 billion without the toxic five-year transfer window or the team’s cable TV station SNY.
While nearly triple what Jeter paid, that $3 billion figure is not necessarily a dealbreaker for A-Rod’s reported Mets dream, especially with his aforementioned fiancée in the picture. A-Rod’s net worth is reported to be in the neighborhood of $350 million, and J.Lo’s is thought to be closer to $400 million. Combined, the two could lay a strong foundation for a group bid.
SEE ALSO
Steve Cohen has message for Mets fans after deal falls through
Another signal that A-Rod might be thinking along those lines is his recent social schedule. The shortstop-turned-third baseman-turned-fledgling mogul has been investing in real estate since 2003, and since retiring from the diamond in 2016 has become a full-time player in the finance field. His A-Rod Corp has invested in numerous real estate deals and tech startups, and just last month, he invested an undisclosed sum with Budweiser parent company AB InBev to become chairman of the Dominican Republic-made beer brand Presidente.
Lately, Rodriguez has been making the rounds at high-profile investment conferences hosted by Merrill Lynch and JPMorgan. Both events were chock-full of super-wealthy potential partners for a Mets bid.
But while some sources are bullish on A-Rod’s future as the king of Queens, others are throwing cold water on the rumors and pointing to the person they still see as the future owner of the Amazin’s.
“No chance A-Rod pulls that off, especially with Steve Cohen still out there playing safety on this thing,” said one banker familiar with Cohen and the deal. “This auction will not get close to $3 billion, and it will be lucky to get over $2 billion. Steve knows that, he’s talking to people and he’s waiting for the Wilpons to come back begging for $2.6 billion and no five-year window.”
Cohen declined to comment on the notion that he is still actively monitoring the situation, but one source close to the $13 billion financier made it clear that he would not be involved with the Mets auction and “refuses to be used as a stalking horse” in the process.
Neither Rodriguez nor his representative, Ron Berkowitz, could be reached for comment.
By Thornton McEnery
February 14, 2020 | 1:42pm | Updated
MORE ON:
NEW YORK METS
We won't get Yoenis Cespedes' side of wild boar tale
Tim Tebow flirted with XFL before choosing the Mets grind
Robinson Cano eyeing vintage campaign with Mets
Yoenis Cespedes taking huge step in long-winded recovery
If anyone thought the soap-opera sale of the New York Mets couldn’t get any crazier after the Steve Cohen debacle, they were A-Rod levels of wrong.
According to multiple sources, the newest name to emerge as a potential suitor to buy the Mets is none other than Alex Rodriguez. Baseball and Wall Street insiders told The Post that the controversial former Yankees superstar is “kicking the tires” on the idea of getting into an upcoming auction for the team. This comes after Cohen, the billionaire hedge fund manager, walked away from a $2.6 billion deal for 80 percent of the team last week upon learning that the Wilpon family would not be surrendering control for the first five years of his ownership.
While sources told The Post that Cohen has not yet fully given up on his chances of purchasing the Mets, rumors of A-Rod’s interest have intensified.
“He’s a businessman and a baseball man based in New York,” said one A-Rod ally. “Why wouldn’t he be looking at this?”
A self-described childhood Mets fan who idolized Keith Hernandez in his youth, A-Rod flirted with signing with the team as a free agent in 2000. That dream was scuttled by then-Mets GM Steve Phillips’ disinterest in meeting A-Rod’s contract demands and creating what Phillips infamously termed “a 24-plus-one roster.” A-Rod eventually signed an unprecedented $252 million, 10-year deal with the Texas Rangers. He was traded to the Yankees following the 2003 season.
Sources caution that an A-Rod Mets bid would be a long shot and would require putting together an ownership group of even wealthier investors, much like the deal that his former teammate and frenemy Derek Jeter made to buy A-Rod’s hometown team, the Miami Marlins. In 2017, Jeter put down $25 million alongside 15 other investors to reach a $1.2 billion deal that made him the controlling partner and CEO of the organization.
“[Rodriguez] genuinely loves the Mets,” said one source familiar with A-Rod. “He and J.Lo have talked about him buying a team ever since Jeter got the Marlins.”
Enlarge ImageAlex RodriguezCorbis via Getty Images
Another source cautioned that large ownership groups are not the preferred kind of buyer for MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and his owners these days, but that the idea of putting A-Rod and Jeter in the same division as owners might be too irresistible if the money is right for the Wilpons. The Mets are thought to be alerting prospective buyers of their demands in an auction sale in the coming days, expected to be around $3 billion without the toxic five-year transfer window or the team’s cable TV station SNY.
While nearly triple what Jeter paid, that $3 billion figure is not necessarily a dealbreaker for A-Rod’s reported Mets dream, especially with his aforementioned fiancée in the picture. A-Rod’s net worth is reported to be in the neighborhood of $350 million, and J.Lo’s is thought to be closer to $400 million. Combined, the two could lay a strong foundation for a group bid.
SEE ALSO
Steve Cohen has message for Mets fans after deal falls through
Another signal that A-Rod might be thinking along those lines is his recent social schedule. The shortstop-turned-third baseman-turned-fledgling mogul has been investing in real estate since 2003, and since retiring from the diamond in 2016 has become a full-time player in the finance field. His A-Rod Corp has invested in numerous real estate deals and tech startups, and just last month, he invested an undisclosed sum with Budweiser parent company AB InBev to become chairman of the Dominican Republic-made beer brand Presidente.
Lately, Rodriguez has been making the rounds at high-profile investment conferences hosted by Merrill Lynch and JPMorgan. Both events were chock-full of super-wealthy potential partners for a Mets bid.
But while some sources are bullish on A-Rod’s future as the king of Queens, others are throwing cold water on the rumors and pointing to the person they still see as the future owner of the Amazin’s.
“No chance A-Rod pulls that off, especially with Steve Cohen still out there playing safety on this thing,” said one banker familiar with Cohen and the deal. “This auction will not get close to $3 billion, and it will be lucky to get over $2 billion. Steve knows that, he’s talking to people and he’s waiting for the Wilpons to come back begging for $2.6 billion and no five-year window.”
Cohen declined to comment on the notion that he is still actively monitoring the situation, but one source close to the $13 billion financier made it clear that he would not be involved with the Mets auction and “refuses to be used as a stalking horse” in the process.
Neither Rodriguez nor his representative, Ron Berkowitz, could be reached for comment.
Jeff Wilpon talks Bernie Madoff fallout, Mets sale, Willie Randolph regret
By Steve Serby
February 15, 2020 | 4:45pm | Updated
Mets COO Jeff Wilpon discusses the Bernie Madoff fallout, the collapse of the team’s sale, some of his best and worst memories, and what he thinks of this year’ club in a Q&A email exchange with Post columnist Steve Serby.
Q: What is your recollection of the day you and your father Fred learned about Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme?
A: Shock and disappointment.
Q: How crippling was the fallout?
A: What I will share as the most important fallout from Madoff is all the community-minded and philanthropic organizations that were burned by him and all the people that were in need and wouldn’t be able to receive as much assistance as they needed. Also other individuals less fortunate and lost everything is the biggest crime.
Q: Biggest mistakes?
A: Many that I try to learn from and not repeat.
Q: What are your feelings about the dissolution of the Steve Cohen deal? What’s next, and how could it affect you?
A: Have to refer to the following from the statement released earlier. As spring training begins, on behalf of ownership, we would like to share more information explaining why the proposed transaction has ended, however due to confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, we are unable to do so at this time. So right now, I believe we need to focus on the future and not on the past and that’s what we intend to do. We would like to assure our fans that we will continue our commitment to winning in 2020 and beyond, and we’ll work hard to earn and maintain everyone’s confidence and trust. We’ll be moving forward to find a new transaction.
Q: Why fire Willie Randolph in the middle of the night during a West Coast trip in 2008?
A: A lot of people, including myself, made mistakes with that situation.
Enlarge ImageJeff WilponLarry Marano ©
Q: Biggest regrets?
A: Firing Willie Randolph when we did. We should have been more thoughtful on the timing.
Q: Does the Bobby Bonilla contract — $1.2 million every year — and the fact he’s getting paid until 2035 make you sick?
A: You make some bad and some good deals. This one was a deferred-compensation arrangement, which are common.
Q: You’ve been described as too meddlesome. Your thoughts?
A: As COO, my responsibilities go beyond being a part of the ownership group and are to oversee elements on a day-to-day basis and report to Fred.
Q: What do you think of the small-market-team criticisms?
A: I understand criticism is going to come and have a great appreciation for that, knowing how passionate our fans are. We are committed to winning and have rewarded many players with extensions and multi–year free-agent contracts.
Q: What was your reaction when you found out about Yoenis Cespedes and the wild boar?
A: Just a shame that we wouldn’t have such an impact player for the entire season.
Q: Do you get upset or angry reading your emails?
A: No. Always appreciate the passion of our fans. We have the same goals as them, which is to win.
Q: What is it like for you when you’re recognized in public?
A: Fans are always supportive and passionate when coming face-to-face. I always try to thank them for their loyalty.
Q: What makes a good owner?
A: Wants to win, cares about the fans and hires good people.
Q: What should Mets fans think of Jeff Wilpon?
A: Works hard for the fans, to be proud of the team they support. When we lose a game, I go through the same hurt and anguish they experience and understand their frustration. [I am] passionate and care deeply.
SEE ALSO
A-Rod emerges as potential Mets buyer
Q: Describe your leadership style.
A: Hire good people to do their jobs, collaborative. communicative.
Q: How are you different as a boss from your father?
A: I’ve obviously learned a ton from my dad and mixed that in with lessons from other people in leadership roles. I believe everyone has to be themselves and find their own leadership style.
Q: What is the biggest lesson you learned from your father?
A: Work ethic, and sleep on a idea before making a big decision.
Q: What is the best advice he gave you in life and with the Mets?
A: Enjoy what you do. Don’t take shortcuts. Pay attention to detail.
Q: What kind of father was he growing up?
A: Caring, supportive. Came to all my games. Always gave advice before and after — never during.
Q: What have you learned about GM Brodie Van Wagenen?
A: Hard working and as collaborative an executive as I’ve ever seen. Big thinker.
Q: Carlos Beltran taking a called strike three against Adam Wainwright to end Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS: Your thoughts?
A: Knowing Carlos as a person and player, nobody wanted to come through with a hit more than he did. He had a wonderful career with us and had come through so many times in the past.
Q: What did you learn about former GM Sandy Alderson?
A: Perseverance and a steady hand.
Q: Why didn’t Mickey Callaway work as manager?
A: Mickey is a good baseball man. Sometimes the best intentions don’t work out. But for me, it’s about looking at the tasks ahead and what we can do better.
Q: Then-GM Omar Minaya signed Pedro Martinez to a free-agent deal in 2004. Why was that important at the time?
A: Knew he was a future Hall of Famer. Was pivot point and first big name to sign with us, and others followed. Had just come off a World Series championship with the Red Sox. We suddenly had an icon, and [that] was a catalyst to a turnaround.
Q: What was it like dealing with former manager Bobby Valentine? What did you think of the dugout mustache?
A: Bobby V is a terrific baseball person and always learned something about the game in our conversations.
Q: Describe the Tom Seaver you know, and how heartbreaking was the news that he has dementia?
A: The Tom I like to remember is us walking and talking about so many things in his vineyard years ago.
Q: Who are owners in other sports you admire?
A: Respect and admire a number of owners that have a passion and commitment to their organization, fans and community.
Q: What do you think of Hal Steinbrenner’s leadership style?
A: I have a lot of respect for Hal and the Yankees’ success they’ve had over the years. More appropriate to ask that of others that are around him on a more regular basis.
Q: Describe the first time you met George Steinbrenner and your best anecdote about him.
A: At spring training in Fort Lauderdale [Fla.] with Fred. He was always very friendly to me.
Enlarge ImageFred Wilpon and George Steinbrenner in 2001.Reuters
Q: What has it been like competing against the Yankees?
A: Great rivalry for the city and fans.
Q: What is the closest you came to a big trade with the Yankees?
A: Don’t really recall, except to say that many conversations have been had through the years.
Q: Mike Piazza’s home run in the first game back after 9/11 … what is your recollection of that moment?
A: Emotional. Surreal. Hard to put into words how much that meant, still to this day. After the anthem, both teams shook hands, which never happens. It gave me chills that this was a sign of America standing together and was more than just a game. I was sitting in the stands. From the sound of the ball off the bat, there was no doubt that it was heading out and was also amazed at where the ball landed.
Q: What was your immediate reaction when Roger Clemens threw the sawed-off bat toward Piazza in the 2000 World Series, and do you think Piazza should have charged him?
A: Disbelief and confusion. Hard to put yourself in someone else’s shoes in the heat of the moment.
Q: Losing the 2000 World Series or 2015 World Series, which one hurt more and why?
A: Both hurt when you get so close and don’t finish. We felt during both we had a lot of momentum leading into those and just couldn’t maintain. 2015 probably hurts more because it was more recent.
Q: What are your memories of the Mookie Wilson groundball in the 1986 World Series and going on to win the title?
A: Mookie ball was Game 6, so we knew we needed one more to finish. After Game 7, celebrated like all our fans with our family. Was sitting behind Commissioner [Peter] Ueberroth, and when the ball was hit on the ground, I had a feeling of despair thinking the game was going to extra innings. Suddenly it got by [Bill] Buckner and Ray [Knight] had rounded third. The next thing I remember was Shea actually shaking and fans going crazy.
Q: What happened to Matt Harvey and why did he flame out?
A: What I will tell you is that Matt provided us a lot of great moments, including starting the All-Star Game at Citi Field in 2013, and his performances in 2015 were a huge part of us making it to the World Series.
Q: What are your best three moments as a Mets owner?
A: 1986 World Series, Game 6 in Houston [a 16-inning win to clinch the 1986 NLCS], winning 2015 pennant in Chicago.
Q: What are your worst three moments as Mets owner?
A: Failing to reach playoffs in ’07 and ’08. When we lose family members like Rusty Staub and Al Jackson.
Q: What are your favorite locker room scenes or moments?
A: Watching Fred accept the ’86 world championship trophy. Seeing the camaraderie of the 2015 team and celebrate with them in Chicago after clinching the pennant.
Q: Bartolo Colon hit the only home run of his 21-year career in 2016. What was it like watching that?
A: Amazement and so much fun watching his teammates’ reaction. Don’t remember who I was watching with, but I do remember saying to them, “Did that really happen?”
Q: What are your favorite memories you have as a catcher? What kind of player were you?
A: Not good enough to make it to the majors but good enough to enjoy the game.
Q: Favorite players growing up?
A: Tom Seaver, Johnny Bench.
Q: Favorite Long Island things?
A: Billy Joel and New York Islanders of the ’80s.
Q: Four dinner guests?
A: My grandparents, Bo Schembechler, Gil Hodges.
Q: Favorite movie?
A: “Shawshank Redemption.”
Q: Favorite actor?
A: Denzel Washington.
Q: Favorite actress?
A: Meryl Streep.
Q: Favorite singer or entertainer?
A: Billy Joel, Elton John, Paul McCartney.
Q: Favorite meal?
A: Steak.
Q: Can the Mets contend in 2020?
A: We’re very optimistic with Brodie and his staff and how we finished the second half of last season with one of the best records in the league. Having addressed many needs, such as starting-pitching additions and bullpen depth, as well as returning mainstays such as [Jacob] deGrom coming off of back-to-back Cy Youngs and Pete [Alonso] building on his record-setting rookie season, the organization and our fans have reason for high hopes in 2020.
Q: How high is up for Pete Alonso?
A: The sky is the limit. Can’t wait to see it unfold. Pete’s record-breaking homer in the second-to-last home game really gave our fans something to hold onto and be proud of.
Q: What would you want to say to Mets fans about your ownership and the future of the club?
A: The future is bright. A lot to look forward to. Will always continue our mission to build a roster to win consistently.
By Steve Serby
February 15, 2020 | 4:45pm | Updated
Mets COO Jeff Wilpon discusses the Bernie Madoff fallout, the collapse of the team’s sale, some of his best and worst memories, and what he thinks of this year’ club in a Q&A email exchange with Post columnist Steve Serby.
Q: What is your recollection of the day you and your father Fred learned about Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme?
A: Shock and disappointment.
Q: How crippling was the fallout?
A: What I will share as the most important fallout from Madoff is all the community-minded and philanthropic organizations that were burned by him and all the people that were in need and wouldn’t be able to receive as much assistance as they needed. Also other individuals less fortunate and lost everything is the biggest crime.
Q: Biggest mistakes?
A: Many that I try to learn from and not repeat.
Q: What are your feelings about the dissolution of the Steve Cohen deal? What’s next, and how could it affect you?
A: Have to refer to the following from the statement released earlier. As spring training begins, on behalf of ownership, we would like to share more information explaining why the proposed transaction has ended, however due to confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, we are unable to do so at this time. So right now, I believe we need to focus on the future and not on the past and that’s what we intend to do. We would like to assure our fans that we will continue our commitment to winning in 2020 and beyond, and we’ll work hard to earn and maintain everyone’s confidence and trust. We’ll be moving forward to find a new transaction.
Q: Why fire Willie Randolph in the middle of the night during a West Coast trip in 2008?
A: A lot of people, including myself, made mistakes with that situation.
Enlarge ImageJeff WilponLarry Marano ©
Q: Biggest regrets?
A: Firing Willie Randolph when we did. We should have been more thoughtful on the timing.
Q: Does the Bobby Bonilla contract — $1.2 million every year — and the fact he’s getting paid until 2035 make you sick?
A: You make some bad and some good deals. This one was a deferred-compensation arrangement, which are common.
Q: You’ve been described as too meddlesome. Your thoughts?
A: As COO, my responsibilities go beyond being a part of the ownership group and are to oversee elements on a day-to-day basis and report to Fred.
Q: What do you think of the small-market-team criticisms?
A: I understand criticism is going to come and have a great appreciation for that, knowing how passionate our fans are. We are committed to winning and have rewarded many players with extensions and multi–year free-agent contracts.
Q: What was your reaction when you found out about Yoenis Cespedes and the wild boar?
A: Just a shame that we wouldn’t have such an impact player for the entire season.
Q: Do you get upset or angry reading your emails?
A: No. Always appreciate the passion of our fans. We have the same goals as them, which is to win.
Q: What is it like for you when you’re recognized in public?
A: Fans are always supportive and passionate when coming face-to-face. I always try to thank them for their loyalty.
Q: What makes a good owner?
A: Wants to win, cares about the fans and hires good people.
Q: What should Mets fans think of Jeff Wilpon?
A: Works hard for the fans, to be proud of the team they support. When we lose a game, I go through the same hurt and anguish they experience and understand their frustration. [I am] passionate and care deeply.
SEE ALSO
A-Rod emerges as potential Mets buyer
Q: Describe your leadership style.
A: Hire good people to do their jobs, collaborative. communicative.
Q: How are you different as a boss from your father?
A: I’ve obviously learned a ton from my dad and mixed that in with lessons from other people in leadership roles. I believe everyone has to be themselves and find their own leadership style.
Q: What is the biggest lesson you learned from your father?
A: Work ethic, and sleep on a idea before making a big decision.
Q: What is the best advice he gave you in life and with the Mets?
A: Enjoy what you do. Don’t take shortcuts. Pay attention to detail.
Q: What kind of father was he growing up?
A: Caring, supportive. Came to all my games. Always gave advice before and after — never during.
Q: What have you learned about GM Brodie Van Wagenen?
A: Hard working and as collaborative an executive as I’ve ever seen. Big thinker.
Q: Carlos Beltran taking a called strike three against Adam Wainwright to end Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS: Your thoughts?
A: Knowing Carlos as a person and player, nobody wanted to come through with a hit more than he did. He had a wonderful career with us and had come through so many times in the past.
Q: What did you learn about former GM Sandy Alderson?
A: Perseverance and a steady hand.
Q: Why didn’t Mickey Callaway work as manager?
A: Mickey is a good baseball man. Sometimes the best intentions don’t work out. But for me, it’s about looking at the tasks ahead and what we can do better.
Q: Then-GM Omar Minaya signed Pedro Martinez to a free-agent deal in 2004. Why was that important at the time?
A: Knew he was a future Hall of Famer. Was pivot point and first big name to sign with us, and others followed. Had just come off a World Series championship with the Red Sox. We suddenly had an icon, and [that] was a catalyst to a turnaround.
Q: What was it like dealing with former manager Bobby Valentine? What did you think of the dugout mustache?
A: Bobby V is a terrific baseball person and always learned something about the game in our conversations.
Q: Describe the Tom Seaver you know, and how heartbreaking was the news that he has dementia?
A: The Tom I like to remember is us walking and talking about so many things in his vineyard years ago.
Q: Who are owners in other sports you admire?
A: Respect and admire a number of owners that have a passion and commitment to their organization, fans and community.
Q: What do you think of Hal Steinbrenner’s leadership style?
A: I have a lot of respect for Hal and the Yankees’ success they’ve had over the years. More appropriate to ask that of others that are around him on a more regular basis.
Q: Describe the first time you met George Steinbrenner and your best anecdote about him.
A: At spring training in Fort Lauderdale [Fla.] with Fred. He was always very friendly to me.
Enlarge ImageFred Wilpon and George Steinbrenner in 2001.Reuters
Q: What has it been like competing against the Yankees?
A: Great rivalry for the city and fans.
Q: What is the closest you came to a big trade with the Yankees?
A: Don’t really recall, except to say that many conversations have been had through the years.
Q: Mike Piazza’s home run in the first game back after 9/11 … what is your recollection of that moment?
A: Emotional. Surreal. Hard to put into words how much that meant, still to this day. After the anthem, both teams shook hands, which never happens. It gave me chills that this was a sign of America standing together and was more than just a game. I was sitting in the stands. From the sound of the ball off the bat, there was no doubt that it was heading out and was also amazed at where the ball landed.
Q: What was your immediate reaction when Roger Clemens threw the sawed-off bat toward Piazza in the 2000 World Series, and do you think Piazza should have charged him?
A: Disbelief and confusion. Hard to put yourself in someone else’s shoes in the heat of the moment.
Q: Losing the 2000 World Series or 2015 World Series, which one hurt more and why?
A: Both hurt when you get so close and don’t finish. We felt during both we had a lot of momentum leading into those and just couldn’t maintain. 2015 probably hurts more because it was more recent.
Q: What are your memories of the Mookie Wilson groundball in the 1986 World Series and going on to win the title?
A: Mookie ball was Game 6, so we knew we needed one more to finish. After Game 7, celebrated like all our fans with our family. Was sitting behind Commissioner [Peter] Ueberroth, and when the ball was hit on the ground, I had a feeling of despair thinking the game was going to extra innings. Suddenly it got by [Bill] Buckner and Ray [Knight] had rounded third. The next thing I remember was Shea actually shaking and fans going crazy.
Q: What happened to Matt Harvey and why did he flame out?
A: What I will tell you is that Matt provided us a lot of great moments, including starting the All-Star Game at Citi Field in 2013, and his performances in 2015 were a huge part of us making it to the World Series.
Q: What are your best three moments as a Mets owner?
A: 1986 World Series, Game 6 in Houston [a 16-inning win to clinch the 1986 NLCS], winning 2015 pennant in Chicago.
Q: What are your worst three moments as Mets owner?
A: Failing to reach playoffs in ’07 and ’08. When we lose family members like Rusty Staub and Al Jackson.
Q: What are your favorite locker room scenes or moments?
A: Watching Fred accept the ’86 world championship trophy. Seeing the camaraderie of the 2015 team and celebrate with them in Chicago after clinching the pennant.
Q: Bartolo Colon hit the only home run of his 21-year career in 2016. What was it like watching that?
A: Amazement and so much fun watching his teammates’ reaction. Don’t remember who I was watching with, but I do remember saying to them, “Did that really happen?”
Q: What are your favorite memories you have as a catcher? What kind of player were you?
A: Not good enough to make it to the majors but good enough to enjoy the game.
Q: Favorite players growing up?
A: Tom Seaver, Johnny Bench.
Q: Favorite Long Island things?
A: Billy Joel and New York Islanders of the ’80s.
Q: Four dinner guests?
A: My grandparents, Bo Schembechler, Gil Hodges.
Q: Favorite movie?
A: “Shawshank Redemption.”
Q: Favorite actor?
A: Denzel Washington.
Q: Favorite actress?
A: Meryl Streep.
Q: Favorite singer or entertainer?
A: Billy Joel, Elton John, Paul McCartney.
Q: Favorite meal?
A: Steak.
Q: Can the Mets contend in 2020?
A: We’re very optimistic with Brodie and his staff and how we finished the second half of last season with one of the best records in the league. Having addressed many needs, such as starting-pitching additions and bullpen depth, as well as returning mainstays such as [Jacob] deGrom coming off of back-to-back Cy Youngs and Pete [Alonso] building on his record-setting rookie season, the organization and our fans have reason for high hopes in 2020.
Q: How high is up for Pete Alonso?
A: The sky is the limit. Can’t wait to see it unfold. Pete’s record-breaking homer in the second-to-last home game really gave our fans something to hold onto and be proud of.
Q: What would you want to say to Mets fans about your ownership and the future of the club?
A: The future is bright. A lot to look forward to. Will always continue our mission to build a roster to win consistently.
Wilpons better sell
Fast
Before that man reduces his offer
Fast
Before that man reduces his offer
GM Brodie Van Wagenen among those leaving New York Mets after sale to Steve Cohen
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The moves were announced less than an hour after hedge fund manager Steve Cohen completed his $2.4 billion purchase of the team.
Special assistant to the general manager Omar Minaya, assistant general managers Allard Baird and Adam Guttridge and executive director of player development Jared Banner also are leaving. The status of senior vice president and senior strategy officer John Ricco was not mentioned.
EDITOR'S PICKS
Alderson, not Cohen, announced the baseball staff departures and said he had started the process of building a leadership staff.
"I want to thank Brodie, Allard, Adam and Jared for their contributions over the last two years," he said in a statement. "I especially want to thank Omar for his long and distinguished service to the Mets in many important capacities."
Van Wagenen was a player agent and co-head of CAA Baseball before Wilpon hired him to replace Alderson after the 2018 season. The Mets went 86-76, finishing third in the NL East, and Van Wagenen fired manager Mickey Callaway and replaced him with Carlos Beltran.
But when Beltran was implicated in January by commissioner Rob Manfred in the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal during Beltran's final season as a player in 2017, he lost his job within days without managing a game and was replaced by quality control coach Luis Rojas.
New York went 26-34 and missed the expanded playoffs in the shortened 2020 season.
Many of Van Wagenen's moves failed to work out, including acquiring second baseman Robinson Cano and signing free agents Todd Frazier and Jed Lowrie. All three were among his former clients.
Van Wagenen congratulated Fred Wilpon for "an intelligence and love that made all of us feel that we were a part of his family'' and Jeff Wilpon for an "incredible opportunity and the unwavering support'' and for "unrivaled work ethic and sacrifice'' to create Citi Field, which opened in 2009.
"We took a team that had suffered losing seasons in 2017 and 2018 to contention in 2019 and onto a chance for real success in 2020 prior to the pandemic,'' Van Wagenen said in a statement that thanked staff, players and fans. "While we didn't reach our goal in 2020, the work that you put in to keep everyone safe and healthy in the midst of the COVID-19 threat played a significant role in the return of and the successful completion of the Major League Baseball season.''
Friday's moves make Rojas' future uncertain. Fired Astros GM Jeff Luhnow, who completed a season-long suspension last week, could be a candidate for the analytics-oriented Cohen.
play
0:00
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1:24
3:21 PM ET
- ESPN News Services
The moves were announced less than an hour after hedge fund manager Steve Cohen completed his $2.4 billion purchase of the team.
Special assistant to the general manager Omar Minaya, assistant general managers Allard Baird and Adam Guttridge and executive director of player development Jared Banner also are leaving. The status of senior vice president and senior strategy officer John Ricco was not mentioned.
EDITOR'S PICKS
- Cohen completes $2.4 billion purchase of Mets
- Olney: Why Chris Antonetti is 'the perfect guy' to lead the Mets
- Lindor AND Springer to the Mets? Ozuna to the Astros? Offseason predictions for all 30 MLB teams
Alderson, not Cohen, announced the baseball staff departures and said he had started the process of building a leadership staff.
"I want to thank Brodie, Allard, Adam and Jared for their contributions over the last two years," he said in a statement. "I especially want to thank Omar for his long and distinguished service to the Mets in many important capacities."
Van Wagenen was a player agent and co-head of CAA Baseball before Wilpon hired him to replace Alderson after the 2018 season. The Mets went 86-76, finishing third in the NL East, and Van Wagenen fired manager Mickey Callaway and replaced him with Carlos Beltran.
But when Beltran was implicated in January by commissioner Rob Manfred in the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal during Beltran's final season as a player in 2017, he lost his job within days without managing a game and was replaced by quality control coach Luis Rojas.
New York went 26-34 and missed the expanded playoffs in the shortened 2020 season.
Many of Van Wagenen's moves failed to work out, including acquiring second baseman Robinson Cano and signing free agents Todd Frazier and Jed Lowrie. All three were among his former clients.
Van Wagenen congratulated Fred Wilpon for "an intelligence and love that made all of us feel that we were a part of his family'' and Jeff Wilpon for an "incredible opportunity and the unwavering support'' and for "unrivaled work ethic and sacrifice'' to create Citi Field, which opened in 2009.
"We took a team that had suffered losing seasons in 2017 and 2018 to contention in 2019 and onto a chance for real success in 2020 prior to the pandemic,'' Van Wagenen said in a statement that thanked staff, players and fans. "While we didn't reach our goal in 2020, the work that you put in to keep everyone safe and healthy in the midst of the COVID-19 threat played a significant role in the return of and the successful completion of the Major League Baseball season.''
Friday's moves make Rojas' future uncertain. Fired Astros GM Jeff Luhnow, who completed a season-long suspension last week, could be a candidate for the analytics-oriented Cohen.
Former CAA Agent Brodie Van Wagenen Ousted As NY Mets General Manager
Brodie Van Wagenen, who left as co-head of the baseball division at CAA to make the rare transition to Major League Baseball general manager, has been let go by the team. The move came two years into his tenure and just hours after new owner Steve Cohen officially closed his deal to take over...
Mets Star Noah Syndergaard Puts Wilpons On Blast After Team’s Sale Was Approved Today
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 04: Noah Syndergaard #34 of the New York Mets pitches against the Washington Nationals during the Mets Home Opening game at Citi Field on April 04, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
New York Mets fans are celebrating today, with the news that multi-billionaire Steve Cohen has been approved to buy the team by both his fellow MLB owners and New York City. The news means that the team will no longer be owned by Fred Wilpon and his son Jeff, two deeply unpopular individuals among the team’s fans. Apparently, some Mets players feel the same way about their outgoing bosses.
Starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard is rarely afraid to speak his mind. That is the case today, just hours after the news that Cohen was approved dropped. Mike Puma reached out to Syndergaard, who missed this past season with an injury, and got a scorcher of a quote from the 28-year old fireballer.
“All I plead is that the new owner treats players and personnel in the organization like people and less like expendable commodities,” Syndergaard said, a very telling comment about the Wilpons’ ownership. “That being said, I couldn’t be more excited having the real life Bobby Axelrod leading the charge.”
That last bit is a reference to the Showtime hit show Billions. Steve Cohen, who is valued at over $14 billion and will be the most wealthy owner in Major League Baseball, is one of the figures that the main character played by Damien Lewis is based on.
Steve Cohen has had his eyes on the Mets for a while now. The Long Island native reportedly grew up rooting for the club, and had been in talks with the Wilpons dating back to earlier this year, before initial negotiations fell through.
This time around, he beat out a group featuring Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez to buy the team. Cohen will reportedly spend over $2.4 billion to take over the team.
Syndergaard missed this truncated 2020 season after suffering a torn UCL in March. He hopes to be back to 100-percent next year, and return to the form he last showed in 2018, when he posted a 3.03 ERA and struck out over nine batters per nine innings. He was an All-Star in 2016, and considered one of the sport’s most exciting young pitchers, but has been inconsistent and had some injury issues since that season.
If he’s back pitching the way he can, paired with two-time Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom, and a new owner who is willing to spend and build the team into a true World Series contender, the sky is the limit for Noah Syndergaard and the New York Mets.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 04: Noah Syndergaard #34 of the New York Mets pitches against the Washington Nationals during the Mets Home Opening game at Citi Field on April 04, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
New York Mets fans are celebrating today, with the news that multi-billionaire Steve Cohen has been approved to buy the team by both his fellow MLB owners and New York City. The news means that the team will no longer be owned by Fred Wilpon and his son Jeff, two deeply unpopular individuals among the team’s fans. Apparently, some Mets players feel the same way about their outgoing bosses.
Starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard is rarely afraid to speak his mind. That is the case today, just hours after the news that Cohen was approved dropped. Mike Puma reached out to Syndergaard, who missed this past season with an injury, and got a scorcher of a quote from the 28-year old fireballer.
“All I plead is that the new owner treats players and personnel in the organization like people and less like expendable commodities,” Syndergaard said, a very telling comment about the Wilpons’ ownership. “That being said, I couldn’t be more excited having the real life Bobby Axelrod leading the charge.”
That last bit is a reference to the Showtime hit show Billions. Steve Cohen, who is valued at over $14 billion and will be the most wealthy owner in Major League Baseball, is one of the figures that the main character played by Damien Lewis is based on.
Steve Cohen has had his eyes on the Mets for a while now. The Long Island native reportedly grew up rooting for the club, and had been in talks with the Wilpons dating back to earlier this year, before initial negotiations fell through.
This time around, he beat out a group featuring Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez to buy the team. Cohen will reportedly spend over $2.4 billion to take over the team.
Syndergaard missed this truncated 2020 season after suffering a torn UCL in March. He hopes to be back to 100-percent next year, and return to the form he last showed in 2018, when he posted a 3.03 ERA and struck out over nine batters per nine innings. He was an All-Star in 2016, and considered one of the sport’s most exciting young pitchers, but has been inconsistent and had some injury issues since that season.
If he’s back pitching the way he can, paired with two-time Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom, and a new owner who is willing to spend and build the team into a true World Series contender, the sky is the limit for Noah Syndergaard and the New York Mets.
Stroman accepts Mets' $18.9M qualifying offer
Right-hander Marcus Stroman has accepted the Mets' $18.9 million qualifying offer.
www.espn.com
Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco are heading to the Mets
In the first major Steve Cohen-era move, shortstop Lindor and pitcher Carrasco are heading to Queens and Cleveland will receive Andrés Giménez, Amed Rosario, Josh Wolf and Isaiah Greene in return.
In the first major Steve Cohen-era move, shortstop Lindor and pitcher Carrasco are heading to Queens and Cleveland will receive Andrés Giménez, Amed Rosario, Josh Wolf and Isaiah Greene in return.
good they fired his ass. he even looks like a young harvey weinstein
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