Mets’ Owner Steve Cohen Speaks On Failing To Pursue Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Mets owner Steve Cohen declared he would not alter a thing about the team’s pursuit of the highly sought-after free agency pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, despite the Japanese star’s decision to join the Dodgers in a highly publicized trade valued at a total of $375 million.

Mets’ Owner Steve Cohen Speaks On Failing To Pursue Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Cohen and head of baseball operations David Stearns traveled to Japan before to the winter meetings in an unwavering attempt to lure Yamamoto to Queens, where they had conversations with the 25-year-old right-hander and his family.

On his U.S. trip, Yamamoto played two games against the Yankees, met with the Dodgers, Giants, Phillies, Red Sox, and made another stop with the Mets.

This is the message that club owner Steve Cohen sent to The Post on Friday morning, little over a day after Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto turned down the Mets’ offer in favor of a $325 million, 12-year contract from the Dodgers.

“I think the whole organization tried our hardest, and someone was going to win and someone was going to lose and that is the way it goes,” Cohen said, interrupting a Caribbean vacation. “I feel good about our efforts and I left it all on the field. Life goes on.”

Yamamoto was given the opportunity to meet with pitching instructor Jeremy Hefner and manager Carlos Mendoza last weekend during a dinner party that Cohen threw at his Connecticut home.

After giving Yamamoto’s countryman Shohei Ohtani a 10-year, $700 million contract, the Dodgers have now accounted for more than half of all MLB spending in free agency this winter. Cohen eventually made Yamamoto a similar contract offer, 12 years and $325 million plus opt-outs. However, Cohen was unsuccessful in defeating the Dodgers.

“Last I looked, there’s never one player that is going to make or break your team,” Cohen said of Yamamoto. “We’ll build it. It will happen. Slowly and surely you will see changes and improvements. We have got the right management in place with a shared vision.”

Plan B for the Mets will probably involve addressing the rotation methodically as opposed to making the hasty decision to go after prominent players like Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery.

“We’re going to be thoughtful and not impulsive and thinking about sustainability over the intermediate long-term, but not focused on winning the headlines over the next week,” Cohen said. “I think there’s a couple of ways to build a team.

Who is Yamamoto signing with?

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Yoshinobu, the best pure pitcher available on the free agency market, have reached an agreement on a 12-year contract for $325 million, as reported by CBS Sports HQ source Jim Bowden.

Where is Yoshinobu Yamamoto from?

As of right now, Yoshinobu Yamamoto is the best pitcher in Japan; he has the potential to become the country’s next great major league pitcher.

 

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