Kansas City, MO – New York Mets owner Steve Cohen visited Kansas City this week after the team executed a major sell-off at the trade deadline. Cohen had planned the trip weeks ago to meet up with his fraternity brothers from the University of Pennsylvania, but took the opportunity to stop by the visiting clubhouse at Kauffman Stadium for some conversations.
During his visit, Cohen acknowledged that the shift in organizational direction would take time to process. He revealed that he had mentally prepared for this shift a few weeks ago, emphasizing the importance of sustainability for the team.
Cohen evaluated the team in the lead-up to the deadline and explained that the odds of their success were not favorable. He mentioned that other teams were getting better, and given their lack of consistency, it was unlikely that something would change at that point.
Regarding the trades of Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander, Cohen clarified that they were only traded because the return package met their desired criteria. If the offers had not matched their expectations, they would have kept the players.
Cohen also addressed the impact of the sell-off on future free agents. He believed that money would still be a significant factor in attracting players to the Mets, despite the abrupt change in direction. While acknowledging that the team may not be as aggressive in free agency as before, he stated that they would make strong offers if the right deals came along.
Looking ahead, Cohen expressed his intention to remain competitive in the 2024 season. While acknowledging that the team may not be as star-studded as before, he emphasized that stars do not guarantee wins. Cohen also mentioned having conversations with Pete Alonso, expressing a desire to work things out and stating that Alonso is a great player.
Cohen hinted at Buck Showalter’s return as the Mets’ manager in 2024, noting that the team is currently in a status quo situation. He praised Showalter’s work ethic and stated that he is doing everything asked of him. Cohen also defended Billy Eppler, the team’s general manager, saying that he did a phenomenal job at the trade deadline and that the team’s failures cannot be solely attributed to the manager.
Overall, Cohen’s visit to Kansas City provided insight into the Mets’ recent sell-off and their future plans. While acknowledging the challenges ahead, Cohen remained optimistic about the team’s competitiveness and expressed a commitment to building a sustainable and successful organization.