The hot stove market just lost the biggest free agent available, and contending teams have mixed feelings about it. Yoshinobu Yamamoto has reportedly locked down a 12-year, $325 million deal with the LA Dodgers. In the wake of recent news, the owner of one of the top contending teams in the Yamamoto race, the New York Mets, has something to say about it.

Given his billionaire status, Steve Cohen was more than ready for Yoshi. And considering the Dodgers’ lack of as much fame or resources as the Mets have, LA’s move can be deemed unprecedented. But despite the Mets’ failing efforts, Cohen’s reaction shows no hint of animosity towards the recent turn of events.

The New York Mets “tried their hardest” with Yamamoto and they don’t regret it

According to The New York Post, Cohen was very professional while facing his team’s failed Yamamoto pursuit. “I think the whole organization tried our hardest, and someone was going to win and someone was going to lose, and that is the way it goes,” he said, indicating the New York Mets’ ‘what happens on the field, stays in the field’ mentality.

For Cohen, the outcome of the circumstance does not matter half as much as the efforts put into it do. “Life goes on.” Cohen’s statement portrays the clarity and stability that only a professional with over a decade in the sport can gain. He looks ready to move on.

Still, dealing with a $325 million blow in the face of putting so much time, energy, and effort into clinching an ace who has not played in the majors yet will go down as one of the most intriguing free-agency contentions in the history of MLB. Efforts that managed to reach beyond the borders of America itself.

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The past vs. the future

A few weeks ago, Cohen and the New York Mets’ president of baseball operations, David Stearns, flew to Japan to meet with Yamamoto’s family. They planned to get to know the ace’s roots well enough to have a better understanding of how to convince him to join them. The personal dinner with the ace at Cohen’s house on Saturday shortly followed that. But looks like it was all for naught. Where is the team focusing their eyes next, now that all has proven to be counterproductive?

According to SNY, the New York Mets are all set to go after the available low-range starting pitchers on the market. “We’re going to be thoughtful and not impulsive and thinking about sustainability over the intermediate long-term,” Cohen revealed in the Post interview.

Read More: Reigning NL Cy Young Winner Remains Among Mets’ Top Options, Despite Strong Yoshinobu Yamamoto Pursuit

With a wide market available to explore, who do you think the Mets will land on their next deal? Let us know in the comments below!