Key Takeaways
- • Steve Cohen's November 2021 free agency shopping spree—triggered by Steve Matz's rejection to sign with St. Louis—resulted in four major signings evaluated four years later with mixed-to-mediocre results for the franchise.
- • Max Scherzer earned a B- grade: dominant in 2022 but underperformed in playoffs and struggled in 2023 before being traded to Texas Rangers in 2023, where he subsequently won a World Series championship.
- • Starling Marte received a C+ grade on his four-year deal: an All-Star in 2022 but plagued by injuries and underwhelming performance in 2023-2024, with a modest recovery in 2025, failing to justify contract expectations as the team's intended center fielder.
- • The retrospective evaluation underscores the volatility and execution risk inherent in large free agency commitments, even when signed by ownership committed to winning.
Summary
On November 24, 2021—the eve of Thanksgiving—New York Mets owner Steve Cohen responded with frustration to pitcher Steve Matz's decision to sign with the St. Louis Cardinals rather than return to the organization. Matz had spent a successful 2021 season with the Toronto Blue Jays and declined the Mets' offer to re-sign. Cohen's immediate reaction was decisive: he embarked on a Black Friday shopping spree, signing four players in free agency before the league's lockout commenced.
Four years later, the efficacy of that aggressive spending campaign presents a mixed financial picture. Max Scherzer, the marquee signing from that period, graded out as a B-minus. While Scherzer delivered strong performance throughout much of 2022—his first season with the Mets—his postseason performance disappointed and his 2023 campaign deteriorated markedly. The franchise subsequently traded Scherzer to the Texas Rangers in 2023, only to watch him win a World Series championship with his new team. In exchange, the Mets acquired Luisangel Acuña, who has yet to establish himself as a core contributor beyond limited bench appearances.
Starling Marte's four-year contract, signed with the expectation that he would anchor center field, received a C+ grade. Though Marte earned All-Star honors in 2022, he was frequently sidelined by injuries across the first three years of his deal. His 2023 and 2024 seasons were particularly underwhelming relative to contract value, though 2025 provided modest improvement that at least met diminished expectations. Overall, Marte represented an average signing that failed to deliver the production implied by his salary commitment.
The retrospective analysis reflects a broader challenge in professional sports investing: even well-intentioned ownership spending and high-profile free agent acquisitions do not guarantee competitive returns. Cohen's willingness to deploy significant capital demonstrated the Mets' competitive ambitions, yet execution and player performance durability remain uncontrollable variables that ultimately determine whether roster construction translates into championship-caliber results.
Four years later, the efficacy of that aggressive spending campaign presents a mixed financial picture. Max Scherzer, the marquee signing from that period, graded out as a B-minus. While Scherzer delivered strong performance throughout much of 2022—his first season with the Mets—his postseason performance disappointed and his 2023 campaign deteriorated markedly. The franchise subsequently traded Scherzer to the Texas Rangers in 2023, only to watch him win a World Series championship with his new team. In exchange, the Mets acquired Luisangel Acuña, who has yet to establish himself as a core contributor beyond limited bench appearances.
Starling Marte's four-year contract, signed with the expectation that he would anchor center field, received a C+ grade. Though Marte earned All-Star honors in 2022, he was frequently sidelined by injuries across the first three years of his deal. His 2023 and 2024 seasons were particularly underwhelming relative to contract value, though 2025 provided modest improvement that at least met diminished expectations. Overall, Marte represented an average signing that failed to deliver the production implied by his salary commitment.
The retrospective analysis reflects a broader challenge in professional sports investing: even well-intentioned ownership spending and high-profile free agent acquisitions do not guarantee competitive returns. Cohen's willingness to deploy significant capital demonstrated the Mets' competitive ambitions, yet execution and player performance durability remain uncontrollable variables that ultimately determine whether roster construction translates into championship-caliber results.
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