It’s no secret that Edwin Diaz’s injury was devastating to the Mets and their World Series aspirations. It’s also no secret that New York is a different ball club under Steve Cohen, who bought the organization from Fred and Jeff Wilpon, a little over two years ago. In the past, an injury to a superstar player would’ve been a death blow to this organization, which likely wouldn’t have made Diaz the highest-paid reliever in the history of the sport, anyways.
But, that was the past. The team is under new management and it’s shown in both their spending habits and the way they treat injured players like Diaz. That was made inherently clear in a recent article published in The Athletic, which detailed Cohen’s likely conversation with Diaz in the hours following his patellar tendon injury and subsequent surgery.
We’re going to do everything we can to get you better and take care of you,” Cohen told Diaz, per The Athletic’s Will Sammon.
When Diaz returned to his home in Port St. Lucie from his surgery, which is supposed to sideline him for six months at the very least, he had a trainer, nutritionist and personal chef waiting for him, courtesy of Cohen and the Mets.
Needless to say, the reaction from the MLB world was shocking.
“Hal making the Yankees players pay for the Wifi while Cohen gives his player a personal chef,” a fan said in reference to Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner.
Hal making the Yankees players pay for the Wifi while Cohen gives his player a personal chef.
— vtech (@vtech16272282) March 18, 2023
One word represents Cohen’s actions, according to Casey Stern: “Culture.”
Culture.
— Casey Stern (@CaseyStern) March 18, 2023
“This is how all owners should treat their players,” wrote another fan. “Steve Cohen is more than just an MLB owner. He is a person who has feelings for other people. A truly compassionate person.”
This is how all owners should treat their players. Steve Cohen is more than just an MLB owner. He is a person who has feelings for other people. A truly compassionate person.
— PebMets (@PebMet1) March 18, 2023
“First class organization. Man, I never thought I would EVER say that about my team,” said a Mets fan.
First class organization. Man i never thought i would EVER say that about my team.
— LFGM (@kjf7777777) March 18, 2023
Other reactions pouring in were super complimentary of the Mets, while also making sure to take shots at the Wilpons.
night and day with him and the Wilpons, night and day https://t.co/nujBl9f2eF
— M Y A S S I N J A C K P O T (@vodkasnowflake) March 18, 2023
https://twitter.com/ralphcarhart/status/1637132151266091011?s=20
The Wilpon’s would have made Edwin pay for the wheelchair https://t.co/QlyPFhOmt9
— Macho Man Randy Average (@BillyLeo94) March 18, 2023
This is why @StevenACohen2 is the best owner in the sport. He treats his players like human beings not pieces on a chess board. #LGM
Am I only one who feels like Mets, like Diaz feel there is chance he could return in 2023? https://t.co/WAUMAH5Qe2
— Jackie (@JJFan18) March 18, 2023
The world needs more bosses like Mr. Cohen!! https://t.co/AoDl8t1Lm8
— Luis Guillorme (Sr) (@lguillorme) March 18, 2023
Steve Cohen is spending $100 million more than any MLB owner in history on this year's payroll and is now personally paying for trainers, nutritionists, and personal chefs to help injured players get healthy.
The other MLB owners must HATE him lmao https://t.co/BRBWyiWOln
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) March 18, 2023