Mets owner Steve Cohen responds to Dodgers' spending

A few days ago, New York Mets owner Steve Cohen told radio broadcaster Howie Rose that he was perplexed by relief pitcher Edwin Diaz's decision to leave the Mets for the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

“I did find that one perplexing. (I’m) not sure exactly how Edwin arrived at that decision,” Cohen said in an interview with Rose on Friday. “Obviously, it’s a personal decision on his part, and I thought we made a pretty respectable bid.”

Diaz signed with the NL West club for three years and $69 million. The Dodgers' big splash of the offseason was signing prized outfielder Kyle Tucker to a four-year, $240 million contract. 

Cohen responds to Dodgers' major moves 

Cohen flexed his muscle last offseason by signing Juan Soto to the largest contract in professional sports history at 15 years and $765 million. 

"They're formidable," Cohen told reporters, including MLB.com's Anthony DiComo, about the Dodgers on Monday. "They have the ability to spend. So do I, by the way." 

If the season started today, the Mets' payroll would be the second-highest in MLB behind the Dodgers. Landing a free agent of Bo Bichette's caliber greatly affects the overall number. The former Toronto Blue Jays All-Star shortstop will earn $42 million in 2026. 

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