COHEN JOLTED BY MATZ SIGNING, BUT THERE’S GOOD NEWS … OR NOT
It’s Thanksgiving eve and you’d think all would be peaceful and warm in the office; people preparing for the holiday with family and friends; co-workers mingling and sharing a laugh and good wishes to each other.
Then, there is the New York Mets “family” who woke to the news that former Mets pitcher Steven Matz had a agreed to a four-year, $44 million deal with the St. Louis Cardinals. It was quite a jolt to a fan base and ownership who held out hope that Matz was serious about returning to Queens.
The news made Mets owner choke on his morning coffee. Based on Steve Cohen’s tweet earlier this hour, the boss is not happy. Needless to say, Cohen was surprised to hear the news that Matz had did an about face, signing a deal with the Cardinals.
I’m not happy this morning . I’ve never seen such unprofessional behavior exhibited by a player’s agent.I guess words and promises don’t matter.
— Steven Cohen (@StevenACohen2) November 24, 2021
The announcement is gasoline to the fire that has been the New York Mets short offseason so far.
The team swung and miss on multiple big names in pursuit of a president of baseball operations before eventually settling for Billy Eppler, who will serve as the team’s general manager. After publicly saying he’d like to resign with the Mets, starter Noah Syndergaard and reliever Aaron Loup slipped away to Los Angeles on a one-year deal. Michael Conforto rejected the Mets qualifying offer. Marcus Stroman and Javier Baez are lingering on the free agent market.
Then of course, there are the menacing stories that linger over the team:
- Firing Luis Rojas: After being let go at the end of the 2021 season, Rojas accepted a position as third base coach with, of all team’s, the crosstown Yankees. On his way out, he fired a parting shot at the Mets: “You technically aren’t in New York unless you play for the Yankees. I finally arrived to the Empire State.”
- Firing Zack Scott: After being hired as assistant GM a year ago, then taking over as GM after the team fired Jared Porter, another new GM, after allegations of sexual harassment, Scott was put on administrative leave, then terminated, after being arrested for a DWI.
- Chili Davis: The former Mets hitting instructor blasted the organization saying, “That organization needs a big turnaround, they need to clean house,. Some of the people that have been there so long during those dismal years, they need to bring some fresh faces and baseball people in there …”
And, the Mets are still without a manager for 2022. But that may not be last much longer as the organization works hard to fill its managerial position prior to the opening of the Winter Meetings on December 6 in Orlando (barring a lockout).
But here’s the good news: Robinson Cano will be back in 2022.
UPDATE: Life happens fast …
Update regarding infielder Robinson Canó: He was removed from the Estrellas Orientales roster with lower back discomfort. He has been prescribed physical therapy and is considered week to week.
— New York Mets (@Mets) November 24, 2021
People on here think I do nothing but defend you so let me say for the record…. maybe you shouldn’t tweet stuff like this.
— Good Fundies Brian (@OmarMinayaFan) November 24, 2021
You wouldn’t do this with Point72, why would you do it with the Mets?
Perception matters, and it’s important that you show the public that the baseball people are in charge and that the Mets are no longer a joke.
— Good Fundies Brian (@OmarMinayaFan) November 24, 2021
It’s November 24th the Mets still haven’t hired a manager. The GM you hired last week still has to run everything by Sandy,the guy who produced two plus .500 teams in 9 years. Should Sandy be the final say? Maybe players look at the dysfunctional way this team is run and they run
— Ed D. Wilks 🇺🇸☘️💙🇺🇸 (@EdDWilks) November 24, 2021
Stay offline with this stuff man.
— Alexander Hyacinthe (@alexhyacinthe81) November 24, 2021
Rookie mistake showing your hand like this. You’ve now advertised to everyone that agents are lying to you, using you to leverage better offers elsewhere, and that you can’t land anyone, even Matz. Not a good look
— Stacy NYC (@Hustlediva1) November 24, 2021
Maybe wake up and realize no one is chomping at the bit to play for this organization…… if you want a guy you don’t sit back and ask them to check back in with you before deciding. The arrogance. We’ve been a laughing stock for years. Be aggressive.
— MDx629 (@MDx629) November 24, 2021
