Anticipation has morphed into disappointment since Steve Cohen bought the Mets.
John Middleton purchased control of the Philadelphia Phillies in 2016, and overall, the Phillies are in a better place because of it–in the World Series and the National League Championship Series for two straight years. Mets fans hoped “Uncle Stevie,” otherwise known as Steve Cohen, would have the same impact Middletown had with his team. But after three years of Cohen’s Mets ownership, here’s the reality: the Mets are no better with him than they were under the Wilpons. That is not to say the Mets’ hedge fund guy has been an utter failure; it’s just that he hasn’t been what we expected.
So, what’s the right word? Disappointment fits. Cohen’s accomplishment was having the Mets in the playoffs last year, but they flamed out in three games against the San Diego Padres in the Wild Card round. Other than that, there have been more negatives than positives with him.
Cohen has already fired two managers and many general managers, which is not what anyone had in mind when he bought the team. He was supposed to find a general manager, president of baseball operations, and manager to give the Mets stability he and the team craved. It’s hard to blame him for what happened with Jared Porter, Zack Scott, and Billy Eppler, but it’s under his watch, so it’s on Cohen whether that conclusion is fair or not.
The Mets would be in terrible shape if Cohen had not gotten David Stearns to run the team. But even with Cohen getting his guy finally, there are questions about this general manager. Is he going to be a prisoner of analytics? Will he let his manager manage or dictate how to manage the club? Will he run the team like a small-market team like Sandy Alderson did?
Stearns is not off to a great start after clumsily firing Buck Showalter and not even telling him he would be fired. Look, I know it’s the new president of baseball operations right to hire his own manager, but if he is going to fire Showalter, then give him an explanation of why he is being fired. It’s common courtesy and showing respect to a decent man.
If Stearns has horrible people skills, that will be a problem. Players want to establish a relationship with the general manager regarding where they stand with the team. Communication is vital, so if Stearns acts like Dan Duquette or Billy Beane, (yes) that will be a problem. It’s also scary that Stearns may want a manager who follows orders rather than makes decisions based on how the game is going.
Cohen also messed up by not finding ways to sign Kyle Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto, and Carlos Correa. All three contributed to their respective teams in the playoffs, and Schwarber and Realmuto are still playing. Do you think the Mets could have used all three? You bet!
“Uncle Stevie” of the NY Mets (photo, NY Post)
First, I have no idea why the Mets never bothered to sign Schwarber. It was a chance for Cohen to make an impression, and he whiffed. How about Realmuto? If Cohen wanted to get his guy, he would have. Instead, he settled for James McCann, a catcher on the cheap, who was a bust with the Mets. Realmuto is a premier catcher, but the owner decided to be scrimpy. It raises questions about the price Cohen is willing to pay to win. Then, there is the decision not to sign Correa because of questions about his physical after Cohen told New York Post’s Jon Heyman that Correa would be the missing piece to his team’s championship aspirations. But it seems Cohen got cold feet about paying Correa the money he offered, so he used the player’s physical to void the deal. Okay, but here’s the thing. Cohen should be smarting after watching how Correa played spectacularly at shortstop for the Minnesota Twins this postseason.
Cohen has not been an utter failure, but don’t tell me that he is different from the Wilpons. It’s easy to question Cohen’s motives when he talks about building casinos near Citi Field. He should focus more on getting the Mets in order than worry about other things.
Bottom line? Cohen talked about a five-year championship window for the Mets, and reality isn’t close to that aspiration. And I worry about things getting worse, like Cohen urging Stearns to trade Pete Alonso this offseason rather than letting him leave as a free agent after next season.
Add it all up, and you have an owner who is a fraud. So, it’s time for Mets fans to stop calling their owner “Uncle Stevie” and start holding him accountable. Cohen’s mistakes stand out more than the good things he has done–and granted, he has done a few, like bringing back Mets alums and having an Old-Timers Game.
Cohen’s honeymoon is over.
