Home US New York Mets’ billionaire owner Steve Cohen throws shade at previous regime under the Wilpon family… as his ‘win a World Series in five years’ promise gets ever more unlikely: ‘I was given what I was given’

New York Mets’ billionaire owner Steve Cohen throws shade at previous regime under the Wilpon family… as his ‘win a World Series in five years’ promise gets ever more unlikely: ‘I was given what I was given’

by Jack
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Steve Cohen hopes to return Mets to playoffs after disappointing 2023

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As he enters his third full season as Mets owner, Steve Cohen is still working to reshape the organization in the wake of the Wilpon regime – which he criticized on Sunday.

Cohen, who became owner of the team in September 2020, said at the time that it would be “a disappointment” if they didn’t win the World Series within three to five years.

That goal now seems ambitious after the Mets won just 75 games last year, and Cohen blamed his predecessors during his spring training speech.

“I would have hoped we would have had more winning seasons, but it’s not easy,” Cohen said via the New York Post.

“In the end, I was given what I was given.”

Steve Cohen hopes to return Mets to playoffs after disappointing 2023

Steve Cohen hopes to return Mets to playoffs after disappointing 2023

Cohen took over from Fred Wilpon, who owned the team in some capacity from 1986 to 2020.

Cohen took over from Fred Wilpon, who owned the team in some capacity from 1986 to 2020.

Cohen took over from Fred Wilpon, who owned the team in some capacity from 1986 to 2020.

According to the Post, that line was in reference to the team’s farm system, which Cohen has attempted to supplement since joining the franchise.

“For the first time we’re starting to look stacked (on the farm) and I don’t think I would have ever used that term before, and it’s a good feeling,” he added.

Also in free agency, billionaire Cohen made several splashes, signing pitcher Max Scherzer to a three-year, $130 million deal in 2021 and signing Justin Verlander to a two-year, $86.6 million deal years in 2022. Both players have since been traded for prospects.

Cohen is worth $19.8 billion according to Forbesand his heavy spending was often welcomed by fans after the Wilpons were seen by many as cheap.

Fred Wilpon became equal owner of the club in 1986 and completed a full takeover of the franchise in 2002 (his son, Jeff, would eventually run day-to-day operations).

From 2002 to 2020, when the Mets were sold to Cohen, the team went just 1,458-1516, with just one run to the World Series (2015) during that span.

Mets first baseman Pete Alonso will be key to the team's hopes of reaching the playoffs

Mets first baseman Pete Alonso will be key to the team's hopes of reaching the playoffs

Mets first baseman Pete Alonso will be key to the team’s hopes of reaching the playoffs

After winning 101 games during the 2022 season, the Mets came back down to earth last year by finishing fourth in the NL East and missing the playoffs.

“Last year was disappointing because of the high expectations,” Cohen said.

“This year I think we’ve built the groundwork for what’s possible. I think there are some great teams in the National League, but other than that I think we’re as competitive as any other team.

The Mets are hoping their core of Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo and Francisco Lindor can get them back to the playoffs in 2024.

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