Key Takeaways
- • The New York Mets missed the 2026 playoffs for the second straight season and the fourth time in owner Steve Cohen's six years, despite entering the season with the highest payroll in baseball.
- • Cohen graded himself a B in Metsmerized's 2026 owner report card, acknowledging that accountability starts at the top.
- • Cohen fired manager Carlos Mendoza mid-season and later signed interim manager Andy Green to a three-year contract.
- • Cohen said after the season that "there was too much risk" in the number of roster changes made, and that new players needed time to integrate.
- • Cohen warned in July that the 2027 budget could be close to $300 million and offered little flexibility, but by August he was more optimistic about the farm system and rookies.
Summary
Steven Cohen's Mets entered the 2026 season with the highest payroll in Major League Baseball, but the club missed the playoffs for a second consecutive year, according to Metsmerized's 2026 report card, which gave the owner a grade of B. The article argues that money does not guarantee results and that Cohen bears some responsibility for a disappointing season. It marks the fourth playoff miss in Cohen's six years as owner.
The front office overhauled the roster after the 2025 season. The Mets let free agents Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz depart and traded Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil. Alonso later reached 300 career home runs at Citi Field as a Baltimore Oriole, and Cohen publicly wished him well. Cohen then funded replacements, giving president of baseball operations David Stearns the resources to sign Bo Bichette, Jorge Polanco, Luke Weaver and Devin Williams and to acquire Freddy Peralta and Luis Robert Jr. Most of these players underperformed in their first season, according to the report.
Cohen acknowledged the risk after the season. "There was too much risk when you think about all the changes that were made," he said, adding that significant changes can take time to integrate. Mid-season, the organization fired manager Carlos Mendoza, which Cohen described as a "mercy shot"; an extension had not been planned. The team played better under interim manager Andy Green, who subsequently signed a three-year contract.
Looking ahead, Cohen was cautious in July, saying the 2027 budget could approach $300 million depending on which players opt in or out and that flexibility was limited. By August, he cited the trade-deadline prospect haul and rookies Carson Benge, Nolan McLean, A.J. Ewing and Zac Thornton as reasons for optimism, and said he was "getting more optimistic." The report notes that a 2027 rebound depends on veterans acquired last offseason performing closer to their norms in their second year.
The front office overhauled the roster after the 2025 season. The Mets let free agents Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz depart and traded Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil. Alonso later reached 300 career home runs at Citi Field as a Baltimore Oriole, and Cohen publicly wished him well. Cohen then funded replacements, giving president of baseball operations David Stearns the resources to sign Bo Bichette, Jorge Polanco, Luke Weaver and Devin Williams and to acquire Freddy Peralta and Luis Robert Jr. Most of these players underperformed in their first season, according to the report.
Cohen acknowledged the risk after the season. "There was too much risk when you think about all the changes that were made," he said, adding that significant changes can take time to integrate. Mid-season, the organization fired manager Carlos Mendoza, which Cohen described as a "mercy shot"; an extension had not been planned. The team played better under interim manager Andy Green, who subsequently signed a three-year contract.
Looking ahead, Cohen was cautious in July, saying the 2027 budget could approach $300 million depending on which players opt in or out and that flexibility was limited. By August, he cited the trade-deadline prospect haul and rookies Carson Benge, Nolan McLean, A.J. Ewing and Zac Thornton as reasons for optimism, and said he was "getting more optimistic." The report notes that a 2027 rebound depends on veterans acquired last offseason performing closer to their norms in their second year.
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