The New York Mets finally have some more stability in leadership.
After a long negotiation, MLB owners have officially approved billionaire Steve Cohen as the new owner of the Mets after he purchased the team from the Wilpon family, per ESPN's Jeff Passan.
MLB owners have voted to approve Steve Cohen as the new owner of the New York Mets, a source familiar with the vote tells ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 30, 2020
Cohen's approval could mark a significant change in terms of how the Mets approach winning.
The Wilpons were notorious for showing a lack of investment in the team and in free agency in attempting to build a winner. But money should hardly be an issue with Cohen joining the fold.
Cohen's net worth is over three times as high as Washington Nationals owner Ted Lerner, who is now the second-richest owner in baseball.
Steve Cohen's bid to buy the Mets has been approved by MLB's Ownership Committee, per @soshnick.
Cohen's net worth ($14.6B) makes him wealthier than the next three richest MLB owners combined. In a league with no salary cap, that's significant.https://t.co/HprflYLkyI pic.twitter.com/8XeVChnn6j
— Kendall Baker (@kendallbaker) October 21, 2020
Cohen also grew up a lifelong Mets fan, meaning he will almost certainly be willing to infuse the front office with spending money in free agency.
Indeed, the Mets could be major players for some of the top names on the market.
New York has a definite need for starting pitching after a rather disastrous rotation situation in 2020. Perhaps this would indicate the Mets will go hard after right-handed starter Trevor Bauer.
The Mets also need a new catcher following their decision to decline Wilson Ramos' club option, which is only sure to fuel the rumors New York will be going hard after free-agent catcher J.T. Realmuto.
Most owners around the league will seemingly struggle to balance the financial fallout from COVID-19 with the need to spend a bit in order to bolster their clubs.
Again, Cohen seems to have an advantage in this department given the absence of a salary cap and the massive wealth discrepancy between himself and the other 29 owners.
UPDATE: Due to a clause that requires New York City to approve sales due to the Mets' Citi Field lying on public ground, Mayor Bill de Blasio had to sign off on the Wilpons' sale.
Steve Cohen will officially take the reins as owner of the Mets as Mayor de Blasio on Friday afternoon announced the city's law department with “no objections” to the sale.
The New York City Law Department has completed its legal review of the proposed sale of the @Mets. New York City has no objections and the Mets can now proceed with the transaction.#LGM
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) October 30, 2020
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