Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman praises Mets owner Steve Cohen’s big spending: ‘Love what he’s doing’

New York Mets proprietor Steve Cohen has turn into synonymous with spending no matter it takes to land star gamers. 

Regardless of some criticism for his roster constructing, some have lauded Cohen’s method, together with 2020 Nationwide League MVP Freddie Freeman.

“I like what he’s doing,” Freeman informed the New York Submit. “He desires to win. He’s telling the followers, ‘I’m on this with you guys.’ He’s a fan of baseball, and he’s a fan of his group.”

Cohen, a hedge fund supervisor and New York native, formally accomplished his $2.4 billion buy of the Mets in November 2020. Since then, a number of the greatest names in baseball have landed in Queens after inking huge contracts.

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The Mets received 101 video games final season, and followers appear to approve of Cohen’s technique. Some followers had been noticed carrying shirts on the group’s coaching camp with an image that gave the impression to be Cohen carrying a crown.

The Mets had one of many high MLB payrolls final season and are anticipated to have a record-breaking payroll that might exceed $360 million in 2023. The huge payroll would additionally make Cohen answerable for a hefty luxurious tax invoice.

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Justin Turner (10) high-fives Freddie Freeman (5) after Freeman scored on a single hit by Trea Turner throughout the eighth inning towards the Cincinnati Reds in Los Angeles April 14, 2022. (AP Picture/Ashley Landis)

Cohen has confirmed he is among the few homeowners who’s prepared to pay the posh tax. Many homeowners are inclined to draw back from the tax due to the added price and discount in earnings that comes with signing gamers.

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A few of Cohen’s possession colleagues are believed to be lower than proud of the Mets’ spending patterns. However, throughout the latest homeowners conferences, many in attendance acknowledged Cohen is just not violating any of the league’s guidelines.

Freddie Freeman of the Los Angeles Dodgers throughout a recreation towards the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium Oct. 2, 2022, in Los Angeles. (Katharine Lotze/Getty Pictures)

However Freeman, who signed a six-year, $162 million contract with the Dodgers in March, mentioned different groups shouldn’t be complaining about what Cohen is doing.

“It’s as much as us to beat his group,” Freeman mentioned.

“Why would you be upset? The man desires to win,” he added. “Spend away. Why not? He’s telling his followers, ‘I’m with you.’ It’s excited the fan base to have an proprietor that desires to win as a lot as they do.”

The Dodgers routinely have probably the most costly rosters within the league, however the entrance workplace spent rather less this winter than it has in latest historical past.

“We reduce, however to a $240 million greenback payroll,” Freeman mentioned in protection of the Dodgers. “Certain, we didn’t have the $300 million signing. However, on this clubhouse, you go searching you continue to see a very good group.”