Key Takeaways
- • Steve Cohen issued a public message to Mets fans urging patience during a significant performance slump, stating "Welcome to the ups and downs of a baseball season. This too will pass."
- • The Mets have deteriorated to an 8-10 record in May after a strong April start, including series losses to the Cardinals, Yankees, and Red Sox, with a 2-0 defeat to Boston on Tuesday highlighting offensive struggles (0-for-7 with runners in scoring position).
- • Cohen acknowledged the team ranks only 21st in MLB for on-base plus slugging with runners in scoring position and sits four games out of the final Wild Card spot but remains hopeful of a "good run" ahead of the July 30 trade deadline.
- • Star outfielder Juan Soto has faced increased scrutiny regarding his effort and perceived happiness with the franchise, with broadcast criticism centered on his intensity coming out of the batter's box.
- • The Mets face a potential fire-sale scenario similar to 2023, when they traded future Hall of Famers Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander; Pete Alonso, the franchise's cornerstone since 2019 and MLB leader in home runs and RBIs during that span, could become a trade candidate if the team fails to climb back into contention by late July.
Summary
Mets owner Steve Cohen addressed an increasingly restless fan base on Tuesday following New York's fifth loss in its last six contests, a 2-0 defeat to the Boston Red Sox. After opening the season with momentum in April, the Mets have compiled an 8-10 record in May, including series losses to the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, and Red Sox. Cohen's message to fans—posted on social media platform X—struck a tone of reassurance rather than alarm: "Welcome to the ups and downs of a baseball season. This too will pass. LGM," using the franchise's colloquial shorthand for "Let's Go Mets."
The offensive struggles have become particularly acute. In Tuesday's loss, the Mets went hitless in seven at-bats with runners in scoring position, a performance symptomatic of a broader team weakness: the Mets rank 21st in MLB for on-base plus slugging in high-leverage situations with runners in scoring position. This offensive inconsistency has coincided with increased scrutiny of All-Star outfielder Juan Soto, acquired during the offseason. Broadcast analysts and former MLB pitcher Adam Ottavino have criticized Soto's perceived lack of hustle between the batter's box and first base, with broader questions emerging about his satisfaction with the franchise.
Cohen spoke to reporters while in London and acknowledged the team's precarious position while maintaining optimism. Entering play on the day of his statement, the Mets held a 27-36 record and sat only four games out of the final National League Wild Card spot, though they trailed seven teams competing for that position. Cohen stated that "the fans have been through worse" and expressed confidence that the club could still achieve a "good run" this season, pointing to observable improvement in recent play.
However, the calendar presents an existential deadline. With approximately seven weeks remaining before the July 30 trade deadline, the Mets must demonstrate sustained improvement or face the prospect of a second consecutive fire-sale. In 2023, the organization traded future Hall of Famers Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander, receiving prospects including Luisangel Acuna, Ryan Clifford, and Drew Gilbert in return. Should the Mets remain out of contention, Pete Alonso—the franchise cornerstone since his 2019 debut and the current MLB leader in home runs and RBIs over that span—would likely become available, though his expiring contract status could limit the return compared to organizational aspirations.
The offensive struggles have become particularly acute. In Tuesday's loss, the Mets went hitless in seven at-bats with runners in scoring position, a performance symptomatic of a broader team weakness: the Mets rank 21st in MLB for on-base plus slugging in high-leverage situations with runners in scoring position. This offensive inconsistency has coincided with increased scrutiny of All-Star outfielder Juan Soto, acquired during the offseason. Broadcast analysts and former MLB pitcher Adam Ottavino have criticized Soto's perceived lack of hustle between the batter's box and first base, with broader questions emerging about his satisfaction with the franchise.
Cohen spoke to reporters while in London and acknowledged the team's precarious position while maintaining optimism. Entering play on the day of his statement, the Mets held a 27-36 record and sat only four games out of the final National League Wild Card spot, though they trailed seven teams competing for that position. Cohen stated that "the fans have been through worse" and expressed confidence that the club could still achieve a "good run" this season, pointing to observable improvement in recent play.
However, the calendar presents an existential deadline. With approximately seven weeks remaining before the July 30 trade deadline, the Mets must demonstrate sustained improvement or face the prospect of a second consecutive fire-sale. In 2023, the organization traded future Hall of Famers Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander, receiving prospects including Luisangel Acuna, Ryan Clifford, and Drew Gilbert in return. Should the Mets remain out of contention, Pete Alonso—the franchise cornerstone since his 2019 debut and the current MLB leader in home runs and RBIs over that span—would likely become available, though his expiring contract status could limit the return compared to organizational aspirations.
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