Mets sign 11 minor-league free agents BRING IN THE CLOSER!
Cohen’s Met takeover could be finalized as soon as today
The Mets, eager to jump into a busy offseason, signed their first batch of free agents late Wednesday night. But try not to get too animated, as these signings are depth options instead of major splashes.
The club announced the signing of 11 minor-league free agents and invited nine of them to 2021 big-league spring training. The majority of players in that group were already within the Mets organization.
Some notable external signings include right-handed major-league veteran closer Arodys Vizcaino, outfielder Mallex Smith, who played with both Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz on the Mariners from 2016-18, and infielder Jose Peraza, who spent the 2020 season with the Red Sox.
The full list of Mets’ signees features: Oscar De La Cruz, Johneshwy Fargas, Jake Hager, Harol Gonzalez, Bruce Maxwell, David Rodríguez, Luis Carpio, Mitchell Tolman, Vizcaino, Smith and Peraza. All but infielders Carpio and Tolman will be invited to major-league spring training this coming February.
The Mets’ current front office was responsible for these signings. Steve Cohen, who was approved by Major League Baseball owners to purchase the Mets and become sole majority owner, continues to wait for the closing of his deal. He cannot engage in transactions until the deal is finalized. Cohen has said he will promote former Mets GM Sandy Alderson to team president.
Vizcaino, 29, has 50 saves and 208 strikeouts with a 3.01 ERA over seven years with the Braves and Cubs. He last appeared in the majors with Atlanta in 2019 before he was granted free agency in October of that year.
Maxwell, 29, joined the organization in July on a minor-league deal. Though he was briefly touted as someone who could provide much-needed, immediate help at catcher, Maxwell did not appear in a big-league game in 2020. He has not played in the majors since 2018 and became the first major-league player to kneel during the national anthem while playing for the Athletics in 2017.
Outfielder Fargas, 25, who memorably hit for the cycle during Mets’ spring training before all professional sports were shut down due to the pandemic, and 27-year-old infielder Hager both spent time on the team’s 60-man player pool this past season.
The Mets’ financial clout could drastically change as soon as this weekend.
Those involved with Steve Cohen’s purchase of the Mets hope the deal will officially close today, according to a person familiar with the situation.
If not, the sale will be finalized by early next week.
Cohen confirmed the Daily News’ reporting through a tweet to a Mets fan on his Twitter account, with a teaser on when he might be in front of a camera speaking as the Mets owner for the first time.
“I’m aiming for next Tues,” Cohen said on when to expect an introductory press conference, “if we can close the purchase tomorrow.”
As soon as the deal closes, Cohen can officially begin making moves as the sole owner of the team.
Cohen was approved by Major League Baseball’s owners last Friday in a 26-4 vote. Mayor de
Blasio also quickly signed off on the transaction.
The hedge-fund titan, who is worth an estimated $14 billion, is buying the Mets from Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz for $2.4 billion. Cohen will become the wealthiest owner in MLB once the deal is closed.
“I anticipate closing the deal in the next 10 days and then it’s off and running,” Cohen (@StevenACohen2) tweeted on Sunday morning.
“It has been a privilege and honor for our families to have been a part of this great franchise for the past 40 years,” said Fred Wilpon in a statement last week.
“I know that Steve Cohen and his family share the same passion we’ve had for the Mets and for this City. Steve will continue, and will build upon, this organization’s longstanding commitment to the support of our community, and of those in need, which is especially important at this time.”