From assembling the most massive payroll in the history of MLB to transforming into an incredibly incomplete team, New York Mets have been through a roller coaster ride in the 2023 season.
The Audacious Gamble and the Unfortunate Outcome
The ambitious Mets’ owner, Steve Cohen, who is well-known for stirring up the winter hot stove season, took the limelight this year by placing a risky bet. With a vast payroll under his command, Cohen aimed to turn the underperforming Mets into a formidable force. However, the reality that unfolded was quite contrary to his vision.
Despite comprising high-profile, money-making veterans, the 2023 Mets spiraled downward, failing to put up a performance strong enough to alter their course. This led Cohen and general manager Billy Eppler to take stern measures during the trade deadline.
The Stupendous Sell-Off
For weeks, there were hints of the Mets turning into sellers. However, the degree of their willingness to sell remained a matter of speculation until the question found a definite answer on the deadline Tuesday. The Mets decided to part ways with some notable players, including:
- Justin Verlander
- Tommy Pham
- Dominic Leone
- Max Scherzer
- David Robertson
- Mark Canha
- Eduardo Escobar
The players were not dealt at discounted prices. Instead, Cohen chose to utilize his financial power to pay off player salaries to get higher prospects in return.
Mets’ Newfound Focus: Rejuvenating the Farm System
| Players Acquired | Previous Team |
| Luisangel Acuña | Texas Rangers |
| Drew Gilbert | Houston Astros |
| Ryan Clifford | Houston Astros |
Over a span of five days, the Mets performed a drastic operation to revamp their farm system. They added top 50 prospects like Luisangel Acuña, a player showing similarities with his brother, Braves superstar Ronald Acuña Jr. The Mets also managed to secure two top talents from Houston’s farm system, outfielders Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford. A few more teenaged players joined the Mets’ rank in this deadline haul.
The recent events in Queens, though shocking, align well with Cohen’s top priority ever since he spent $2.4 billion to purchase the franchise. He has been aiming to build a powerful farm system to foster a long-term vision of turning the Mets into perennial contenders.
The Financial Implications of the Strategy
Cutting down the payroll by almost half for the next year, Cohen has effectively allocated around $100 million to his farm, as per Spotrac. A hedge fund manager with an estimated net worth over $17 billion, Cohen’s approach to team ownership is both unique and unprecedented in the sport.
“Going into 2024, we don’t see ourselves having the same [World Series] odds that we did going into 2022, 2023,” Eppler said in a Zoom conference Tuesday. “But we will field a competitive team in 2024.”
The Fallout of the 2023 Season
Despite the optimism around the Mets’ long-term plan, the 2023 season turned out to be a disaster marked by sloppy play, unfortunate injuries, lack of attention to detail, and baffling management decisions. All these factors contributed to a massive number of losses. The Mets, with their heavy investment, had aimed to build on their short-lived postseason appearance from the previous year. However, their dreams were dashed before the All-Star break.
Speculations Around the Mets’ Direction
With the recent developments, questions are being raised about the team’s future strategy, their timeline to compete again, and the front office’s capacity to navigate the challenges. There are also rumors of the Mets not intending to participate in the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes.
“I talked to Billy,” Scherzer revealed. “I was like, OK, are we reloading for 2024?’ He goes, ‘No, we’re not. Basically our vision now is for 2025-2026, ‘25 at the earliest, more like ‘26. We’re going to be making trades around that.'”
Pete Alonso and the Uncertainties Ahead
As for Pete Alonso, the team’s homegrown slugger, there are uncertainties about his long-term commitment to the Mets. Alonso, who is under team control through 2024, might reconsider signing a long-term contract given the new direction the team is heading.
The Big Picture and the Way Forward
While the Mets managed to acquire some top-notch pitching depth through deadline deals, the organization’s lack of promising arms remains a topic of discussion. It’s undeniable that the Mets have a lot of ground to cover, especially after bidding farewell to future Hall of Famers.
The bold and audacious strategy undertaken by the Mets, marked by enormous spending and subsequent selling, reflects an unusual twist for a franchise that recently agreed to provide more than $300 million to Carlos Correa for playing as their long-term third baseman.
All these elements reflect the harsh truth: the New York Mets now stand as the most incomplete team money can buy, but the pieces are in place for a bold rebuilding and a future return to glory.
