Steve Cohen urges Mets fans to stay patient as upheaval continues after the club bid farewell to two key players, Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz.
Cohen expressed understanding for the fans’ unease but reminded that the MLB off-season remains in its early stages, with plenty of time to retool and build a playoff-contending squad.
“I completely relate to how fans feel,” Cohen texted The Post’s Jon Heyman. “There’s still a long off-season ahead to assemble a playoff team.”
The off-season has already started with surprises, as Alonso’s departure to the Orioles for five years and $155 million became public. The Mets did not extend a preemptive offer to Alonso before he accepted the Orioles’ deal, according to The Post’s Joel Sherman, who noted that other clubs were ready to provide more money and longer commitments than New York was willing to offer.
Earlier in the off-season, the Mets also traded outfielder Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers in November, and Diaz agreed to a three-year, $69 million contract with the Dodgers amid a broader reshaping of the roster.
Diaz’s discontent with the team’s decision to part ways with pitching coach Jeremy Hefner after the season has been cited as a contributing factor to his departure, a detail shared with The Post’s Mike Puma.
Cohen’s sentiment echoed remarks from Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns, who spoke to reporters at the Winter Meetings in Orlando shortly after Diaz’s departure became public.
“Until the deal is official, I can’t comment,” Stearns said when asked about Diaz. “I remain very optimistic about our off-season. There’s a lot of work ahead, but there are many good players available, and I’m confident we’ll like where our team stands by Opening Day.”
This early wave of moves signals a pivotal period for the Mets: a chance to redefine the roster, respond to fan expectations, and decide how aggressively the team will pursue top talent as the winter unfolds. Will the new direction reignite momentum, or will more names follow Alonso and Diaz out the door? Share your thoughts on the team’s strategy and whether you believe the Mets can build a competitive squad for the upcoming season.
