Steve Cohen has never been shy about spending big. But this offseason, he’s showing that the real flex isn’t just writing the biggest check - it’s knowing when to walk away from the table. And when it comes to negotiating with Scott Boras, that’s exactly what the Mets owner appears to be doing.
For years, Boras has made a career out of dragging negotiations deep into the winter, often past the point where teams would prefer to have rosters settled. It’s a tactic rooted in leverage - the closer you get to spring training with a glaring need, the more pressure builds to just get a deal done.
But Cohen’s not biting. Not this time.
The Mets didn’t hide the fact that talks with Boras were anything but smooth. From the outside looking in, it felt like the team made a strong offer, got a counter they didn’t like, and decided not to keep chasing a deal that didn’t fit their long-term vision.
This wasn’t about being cheap - it was about risk. Specifically, the kind of risk that comes with the creative contracts Boras is known for: deals that protect the player’s upside while leaving the team holding the bag if things go sideways.
That’s where Cohen drew a line.
This approach marks a real shift in how the Mets are handling high-profile negotiations. Yes, they did sign reliever Luke Weaver, another Boras client, which shows they’re not blacklisting anyone.
But that deal was simple, clean, and low-risk - exactly the kind of move Cohen seems more comfortable making these days. The message is clear: the Mets are open for business, but they’re not letting any single negotiation derail their entire offseason.
Behind the scenes, the front office has already been mapping out life without Pete Alonso, another Boras client. That includes exploring internal options and potential position shifts at first base.
And then came the trades for Jorge Polanco and Bo Bichette - two talented infielders represented by different agencies. That’s not just roster-building; that’s a statement.
The Mets aren’t waiting around for Boras to set the terms. They’re moving forward on their own timeline.
This isn’t about emotion. It’s strategy.
Cohen has said before how draining it can be to negotiate with Boras, and it looks like he’s finally putting that exhaustion into action. By treating February as a boundary instead of a deadline, the Mets are trying to avoid what’s often referred to as the “Boras tax.”
And no, that’s not just about money - it’s the weeks of uncertainty, the media swirl, the way one drawn-out negotiation can freeze the rest of your offseason plans.
Ironically, the richest owner in baseball didn’t have to outbid anyone to win this round. He just stopped playing the game.
That doesn’t mean the Mets are done with Boras clients altogether - they’ve acquired a couple this offseason via trade. Luis Robert Jr. and Marcus Semien are both repped by Boras Corp, but neither is in line for a new contract. Robert likely won’t be a long-term piece in Queens, and Semien is simply playing out the deal he already signed.
So while the Mets haven’t slammed the door on Boras, they’re not letting him hold the keys to their offseason, either. And that may be the most important move Cohen has made all winter.