New York Mets fans want drastic changes with the high-salary team underperforming, but team owner Steve Cohen is stressing patience.
The New York Mets spent big money this offseason to officially become the team with the highest payroll in all of baseball. With that, the expectations were understandably high not just around the league, but for a fanbase that hasn't experienced a World Series win since 1986. But so far this season, the team has underperformed, holding a 30-34 record and carrying a seven-game losing streak entering Saturday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Mets fans have been vocal about their displeasure. Whether it was the roster construction or starters that aren't making a positive impact on the team on game day, fans are calling for the jobs of general manager Billy Eppler and manager Buck Showalter. For fans hoping that team owner Steve Cohen would go full George Steinbrenner and fire everyone on a whim, that's not happening.
Cohen spoke with the New York Post on Saturday morning, and when asked about the fans wanting to see a change in the leadership positions or getting rid of players, Cohen said that he's not going to do that. Instead, he stressed patience.
Steve Cohen stresses patience for a frustrated fanbase as the Mets underperform
"When things get really bad, I'm not going to blow up," Cohen said, h/t the New York Post. "I don't think that's the proper response. I don't think it solves anything, other than it gives people a one-day story. But it doesn't really solve anything. There's plenty of blame to go around from a performance point of view. So blowing up, I'm not sure it solves anything. It would demonstrate, 'Oh, he really cares. He's one of us.' But the reality is it's not going to solve our problems. And I think in some ways it can be demotivating.
"I'm trying to be thoughtful about this. And not reactionary. Because I've got enough experience, whether in my business or even in baseball now, to know that when things are going great, you are never as great as you think you are, and when things are going really bad, you are not as bad as you think you are. Things can turn around fairly quickly."
Cohen believes fully in the team that takes the field on a near daily basis, and as he mentions, there is a chance that the Mets can turn things around, as there are still many months left to go in the season.
With the high payroll, the Mets are supposed to contend and become a problem for their rivals in the Atlanta Braves, who stand at the top of the division. Instead in this past series, the team blew multiple leads against their rivals and suffered a humiliating series defeat. Not to mention, star Pete Alonso suffered a left wrist injury after getting hit by a pitch, and could be out for quite some time.
As if the fanbase wasn't frustrated enough after the sweep, they heard Showalter say how "proud" he was of the team after they lost 13-10 in extra innings.
As of June 10, 2023, Cohen isn't blowing up the team. Could things change down the line if the team continues to go into a downward spiral? Who knows. There could be clearer answers as we get closer to the Aug. 1 trade deadline. But as of now, Cohen wants fans to be a bit more patient and hope for a turnaround.