Steve Cohen's Frustration with the Mets' Lack of Success
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Steve Cohen's frustration is palpable. Six years into his ownership of the New York Mets, the team's lack of postseason success has become a source of annoyance for Cohen.
During his initial press conference as owner, Cohen famously stated that he would be 'slightly' disappointed if the team didn't win a World Series within five years. Now, with the fifth year approaching, the Mets have yet to achieve that goal.
Despite his light-hearted demeanor and neutral tone when speaking to reporters, Cohen's frustration is evident. He acknowledges that the Mets haven't won, and he's committed to turning things around.
'I'm absolutely annoyed,' Cohen said. 'Every year it goes by, I get frustrated. I'm really committed to this team. I know how much the fans care. I know we're celebrating the 40th anniversary of 1986, and that's just too long.'
The Mets' struggles are particularly notable given Cohen's substantial investment in payroll. For the fourth consecutive season, the team's payroll is expected to exceed $300 million, with an estimated $364 million budget for 2026.
When asked about the team's lack of playoff success in 2025, Cohen attributed it to the inherent randomness of baseball, citing the Mets' 0-70 record when trailing after eight innings.
Following the season, Cohen initiated a significant shakeup, trading away key players like Pete Alonso, Edwin Díaz, Brandon Nimmo, and Jeff McNeil. In their place, he brought in accomplished veterans such as Bo Bichette, Freddy Peralta, Jorge Polanco, Devin Williams, Marcus Semien, and Luis Robert Jr.
'Saying goodbye is always tough,' Cohen noted, 'but saying hello is kind of fun.'
Despite the changes, Cohen remains optimistic about the team's prospects. He appreciates the new attributes, such as contact hitting, and the fact that most of the new players have a winning mentality. He attended a team meeting with manager Carlos Mendoza and was impressed by the energy in the room.
However, Cohen acknowledges the challenges of building a winning team. He recognizes that it's not as simple as drawing up a plan on paper; the players must execute it on the field.
'I've seen the ups and downs, and it's not easy to build a team,' Cohen said. 'You write it down on a piece of paper and that looks really great, but they have to play.'
As the Mets strive to improve and establish a sustainable winning culture, they face stiff competition from the Los Angeles Dodgers, the two-time defending World Series champions. Cohen admires the Dodgers' approach to building a sustainable winner and aims to emulate their success.
'They're formidable,' Cohen said of the Dodgers. 'They have the ability to spend, and so do we. They built a great team, and I think we've built a great team. We're going to be really competitive this year, and the goal is to meet them somewhere along the way in the playoffs.'
Despite the setbacks, Cohen remains committed to the team's progress. He understands that building a winning team takes time and consistency, and he's determined to put the Mets on a path to success, even if it hasn't been a smooth journey so far.
