Cohen’s Billion$ Of Reasons Not To Clean House With New York Mets

Owner of the New York Mets, Steve Cohen is worth about $13.2 billion, depending on what day it is. There is no doubt Cohen is a shrewd businessman and Mets fans should expect nothing less when it comes to running his team.

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Cohen's fortune has come as a hedge fund manager. Basically, he is in the business of knowing when to be aggressive. Knowing when to be patient and knowing when to bail and start new. It appears he has done well with those decisions. But will Cohen's foundational business principles carry over to his Major League Baseball team?

Mets fans want to see heads role, after they watched the Braves come from behind each night and smack their favorite team. However, does a prudent businessperson whack his veteran manager, eight months after he won 101 games with a beleaguered pitching staff? Is it Buck Showalter's fault that Edwin Diaz got hurt celebrating with his team during the World Baseball Classic in March? Diaz would easily be a 5 game turnaround this season, if not more. The Mets are pressing and some of that could or could not be fixed with a different manager. For Steve Cohen, Showalter is not the Mets problem, especially for his long term plan.

Now we come to Billy Eppler, the architect of the $344 million Mets roster. New York currently sits in 4th place in the National League East 9.5 games back of the Atlanta Braves and 3 games back in the Wild Card. Eppler made some horrible trades last summer, at the trade deadline. The Mets' GM sent slugging third-baseman, J.D. Davis, left-handed pitcher Thomas Szapucki, and pitching prospects Nick Zwack and Carson Seymour to San Francisco for designated hitter, Darin Ruf. And, Eppler sent right-handed pitcher Colin Holderman to the Pirates for the ever-struggling Daniel Vogelbach. Ruf was a complete disaster was released in spring training. Vogelbach continues to draw the ire of Mets fans, nearly a year later. Davis is hitting .286 with 8 home runs for the Giants and Holderman is pitching effectively for the Pirates out of the bullpen.

They were bad deals by Billy Eppler but that happens to every general manager. Then you can add the offseason free agent signing of the under performing Justin Verlander to Eppler's not so good deals. Again, who would guess that Verlander would go from amazing to "not so good"? Eppler could be in trouble but not right now. Reports continue to pop up that Eppler's new direct boss will be hired immediately following the 2023 World Series. Milwaukee Brewers former President of Baseball Operations, David Stearns' contract ends after the season. Stearns, like Cohen, grew up a Mets fan and is considered one of the most talented executives in the game.

Steve Cohen has said he wants to build a sustainable winner that goes to the playoffs on a regular basis. Cohen wants to build a strong farm system and will bridge the gap to construct one with his money. If Steve Cohen wants to attract the best baseball people to work for his multi-billion dollar organization, then he has to show patience. Mets fans will have to, as well...more than 66 games into the season, 3 games out of a wild card spot. Expect Eppler to make some tweaks to the roster, especially at the trade deadline. Until then, Mets fans will have to show the patience of a billionaire.