MLB Analyst Explains How The Mets Are Driving Free Agency

Out of every team in Major League Baseball, the New York Mets have had the busiest offseason so far.

After losing Jacob deGrom and Chris Bassitt in free agency, New York has responded by signing the reigning American League Cy Young in Justin Verlander, Japanese right-hander Kodai Senga, and lefty Jose Quintana.

The reason the Mets are able to do all of this is their owner Steve Cohen, who just so happens to be the wealthiest of all MLB owners.

In light of Carlos Correa signing a 13-year, $350 million deal with the San Francisco Giants, there may be a certain negotiating tactic being used by agents.

MLB insider John Harper certainly thinks so, and he suggested that owners are approaching teams and informing them that Cohen is making a late bid for the free agent they desire, which ultimately could be leading to so many free agents signing long deals such as the one for Correa.

Correa to Giants for 13/$350 mil according to @JeffPassan. Every agent’s new negotiating tactic: mention that Steve Cohen is making a late bid and, boom, team in question closes the deal.

— John Harper (@NYNJHarper) December 14, 2022

How The Mets Are Driving Free Agency

If there’s one thing that Cohen doesn’t seem to care about, it would be going over the luxury tax threshold.

This is why the Mets have been able to sign so many free agents this offseason, and it stands to reason why they may not be done just yet.

The Mets were said to be one of the teams in on Correa, but Cohen’s late bid ultimately did not land them the star shortstop.

Instead, as Harper was suggesting, it could have motivated the Giants to make an even bigger offer than they had previously.