New York Mets owner Steve Cohen expects the team to be “competitive” and “formidable” next season after the team dealt a number of star players at the trade deadline amid a disappointing campaign.
“We added several key pieces to our team, but things have not turned out how we planned,” Cohen said in a letter sent to season-ticket holders, according to Bridget Reilly of the New York Post. “You are rightfully disappointed, and so are we.
“This is not where we wanted to be in 2023. Our goal is to be a consistent contender. The only way to do this in a sustainable way is to build a pipeline of high-caliber talent in our farm system that will fuel our major-league team for years to come.”
Cohen’s letter comes with the Mets sitting 21 games behind the first place Atlanta Braves despite entering the season with MLB’s highest payroll.
The underperforming club recently traded high-priced pitchers Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander, as well as closer David Robertson and outfielders Mark Canha and Tommy Pham.
Scherzer said he agreed to waive his no-trade clause in a deal with the Texas Rangers because Cohen and Mets general manager Billy Eppler told him next season would be a transition year.
“I think the expectations were really high this year, and my guess is next year will be a lot lower,” Cohen told reporters earlier this week. “But I can’t speak to what is going to happen in the offseason. There might be opportunities – I am opportunistic. I don’t want to roll a team out there we are going to be embarrassed by.
“But we also know that spending a fortune … doesn’t guarantee you a trip to the playoffs.”
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