Key Takeaways
- • Mets owner Steve Cohen faces public criticism from media personality Joe Benigno for executing a mid-season fire sale, trading away David Robertson, Max Scherzer, and Justin Verlander ahead of the August 2023 trade deadline.
- • Benigno characterizes Cohen's ownership as a betrayal of fan expectations, arguing Cohen promised competitive spending to rival the Yankees and Dodgers but instead dismantled the roster after two seasons, with the organization targeting 2026 as a contention window.
- • Cohen acquired the Mets from the Wilpon family in 2020 for approximately $2.4 billion and now controls 95% of the franchise, positioning himself as the decision-maker rather than General Manager Billy Eppler.
- • The criticism extends beyond Benigno; former WFAN host Mike Francesa characterized the selloff as a "colossal embarrassment" for Cohen, indicating broader fan and media dissatisfaction with the strategic direction.
- • Max Scherzer publicly stated the organization's new blueprint targets a World Series contention window in 2026, signaling a multi-year rebuild rather than immediate competitive positioning.
Summary
The honeymoon period between New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and the fan base has deteriorated significantly following the team's mid-season roster dismantling. On August 2, 2023, media personality Joe Benigno, filling in on WFAN's morning drive program, launched a pointed critique of Cohen's strategic decisions, stating: "This owner sold us a bill of goods, bro. To me it's all about Steve Cohen." Benigno emphasized that responsibility for the trades—which included aces Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, along with David Robertson—rests with the owner rather than General Manager Billy Eppler.
Benigno's criticism centered on what he characterized as a broken promise. When Cohen assumed control of the franchise in 2020 for $2.4 billion (acquiring a 95% stake from the Wilpon family), he was widely perceived as a transformational figure who would deploy his substantial wealth to compete with marquee franchises like the Yankees and Dodgers. Instead, after just two seasons of ownership, the organization executed a comprehensive fire sale, signaling a strategic pivot away from immediate contention. Benigno questioned Cohen's commitment, calling on him to engage directly with fans rather than "hiding behind [his] paintings and [his] hedge funds."
The discontent extends beyond Benigno's commentary. Former WFAN host Mike Francesa characterized the selloff as a "colossal embarrassment" for Cohen, amplifying the narrative of owner accountability. Max Scherzer's public statement that the organization now targets 2026 as its contention window further reinforced perceptions that the immediate competitive window has closed—a marked departure from market expectations established when Cohen took control. This shift represents a significant strategic recalibration that has crystallized institutional and fan-base frustration with the ownership group's direction.
Benigno's criticism centered on what he characterized as a broken promise. When Cohen assumed control of the franchise in 2020 for $2.4 billion (acquiring a 95% stake from the Wilpon family), he was widely perceived as a transformational figure who would deploy his substantial wealth to compete with marquee franchises like the Yankees and Dodgers. Instead, after just two seasons of ownership, the organization executed a comprehensive fire sale, signaling a strategic pivot away from immediate contention. Benigno questioned Cohen's commitment, calling on him to engage directly with fans rather than "hiding behind [his] paintings and [his] hedge funds."
The discontent extends beyond Benigno's commentary. Former WFAN host Mike Francesa characterized the selloff as a "colossal embarrassment" for Cohen, amplifying the narrative of owner accountability. Max Scherzer's public statement that the organization now targets 2026 as its contention window further reinforced perceptions that the immediate competitive window has closed—a marked departure from market expectations established when Cohen took control. This shift represents a significant strategic recalibration that has crystallized institutional and fan-base frustration with the ownership group's direction.
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