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Entering his third full season as owner of the Mets, Steve Cohen continues to overhaul the organization following the Wilpon era, which he criticized recently. Cohen, who assumed ownership in September 2020, expressed disappointment at not meeting his initial World Series ambitions within three to five years. However, with the Mets only winning 75 games last season, Cohen attributed some responsibility to his predecessors during spring training, stating, “I would hope that we would have had more winning seasons, but it’s not easy. In the end, I was given what I was given.” This remark alludes to the state of the team’s farm system, which Cohen has been actively improving since taking over.
Under Cohen’s ownership, the Mets have made significant moves in free agency, including signing Max Scherzer to a three-year, $130 million deal in 2021 and Justin Verlander to a two-year, $86.6 million deal in 2022, both of whom were later traded for prospects. Cohen’s considerable wealth, estimated at $19.8 billion by Forbes, has allowed for such high-profile acquisitions, a stark departure from the perceived frugality of the Wilpon regime.
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Fred Wilpon’s tenure as owner began in 1986, eventually leading to full ownership in 2002, with his son Jeff assuming daily operations. However, during their ownership from 2002 to 2020, the Mets recorded a modest 1458-1516 record and only made one World Series appearance in 2015. After a promising 2022 season with 101 wins, the Mets stumbled in 2023, finishing fourth in the NL East and missing the playoffs.
Reflecting on the disappointment of the previous season, Cohen remains optimistic about the Mets’ prospects for 2024, stating, “This year I think we have built up the floor of what’s possible. I think there’s a couple of great teams in the National League, but other than that I think we’re as competitive as any other team.” The Mets will rely on key players like Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, and Francisco Lindor to lead them back to postseason contention.
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