Reese Kaplan -- Let's See How Deep Steve Cohen's Pockets Are

The weather in New York of late has everyone down in the dumps.  Rainouts, canceled plans, traffic snarls and deprivation of the life giving brightness of the sun all conspire to make things feel nothing can be any worse.

For the Mets fans among the group, it was coincidental timing that they decided to hit the spinning-in-place interval of the season just when everyone already was feeling miserable.  The rain has gotten so bad for the affiliated fans and team ownership that news broke regarding the posssible retrofitting of Citifield with a retractable roof so that there will be no more multiple rain-induced doubleheaders which anger the fans when owners now take it as a given policy that separate admissions should be charged for each game.  No more "let's play two" days for fans to enjoy.

Well, as it turns out, the price tag mentioned for foul weather protection even made the otherwise free-spending Mr. Cohen gasp a bit.  Yes, a roof would eliminate rain delays but would also require operational costs for maintenance as well as a massive air conditioning bill.  No matter how many winter events might rent out the space, it still was deemed a poor investment.

So with the major change to the stadium on semi-pernanent hold, let's instead look at some of the changes necessary for pushing the team into the next competitive stratosphere.

The Mets Fan GoFundMe Page

Not since the days of George Herman Ruth has someone attacked both the pitching and hitting side of the game with such fury.  The Los Angeles Angels are facing the upcoming free agency of Mr. Shohei Ohtani who has demonstrated brilliance as a starting pitcher and as a feared slugger.  

How good is he?

Well, as a pitcher thus far in the majors he sports an amazing record of 30-14 with a 2.92 ERA.  That level of pitching would stack up against some of the best of the game and he has not yet reached age 30.  

As a hitter, he's not quite at that level, but since coming to America he has hit .268 with 134 HRs and 361 RBIs over the course of just over 2000 ABs.  Given that's the equivalent of roughly 4 seasons of play, that's over 30 HRs and 90 RBIs per part time season.  

So what does that mean for the Mets to get serious regarding making Ohtani enjoy the fugu at 5th Avenue's finest sushi parlor?  Well, if he was just a pitcher, think something approaching Jacob deGrom money.  If he was just a power hitter, then think something on the order of any major league All Star you care to mention.  Combined?  Well, that's brand new territory -- finding someone who is an anchor in the rotation and a middle-of-the-order bat who is likely looking for a 10-year deal.  

Crazy numbers have been tossed around and being baseball's first half-billion dollar player is certainly not out of the question.  In fact, it might even just be a starting point for the few well heeled bidders planning to bow deeply while extending their offers.

There are plenty of other needs the Mets must address for their foreseeable future. Those thoughts are more fodder for another day.  For now the singular focus on the crown jewel of free agency is all most folks think is what is needed most.  If $50,000,000 per year for a pitcher and slugger is considered big money, remember that paying for those needs separately could cost considerably more.  Of course, an injury to Ohtani could render not one but two positions lost simultaneously.

Decisions...decisions...