If there’s one thing Steve Cohen doesn’t lack, it’s confidence—and a checkbook that would make the U.S. Treasury jealous. The Mets' owner held court at Clover Park, and If you didn’t walk away with your calendar already marked for opening day, you weren’t paying attention.
First off, let’s talk about the Juan Soto experience. Seeing the slugger don Mets orange and blue? “I mean, how great is that, right?” Cohen said, sounding like a kid who just unwrapped a new bike on his birthday. “He’s so singularly focused on baseball… I think he’s going to create a lot of excitement for the team.”
Translation : Get your 22 Soto jersey in every style available.
And about that pesky little thing called a World Series drought? Cohen isn’t backing down from the now-infamous “three-to-five-year” plan. In fact, at the Soto press conference, he upped the ante, telling Soto he envisions “three to four” titles over the next decade. “There’s no guarantee in anything, right? It’s really hard to win a World Series,” Cohen admitted. “But we’re putting together a team… for sustainable success.” It’s the kind of big-dream, big-wallet thinking Mets fans have waited their whole lives for.
So, how does this 2025 squad compare to years past? Cohen’s optimism is measured. “Coming out of ’22, I thought ’23 would be a great team, and it turned out to be different. You can write it down on paper, but there’s no guarantees,” he said. “But on paper, we look like a really strong team with a lot of depth.” And for those worried about the rotation, Cohen offered a teaser: “I think our pitching is going to surprise people.” If he turns out to be right, you can add “baseball prophet” to his resume.
As for the front office, this is the first time Cohen truly feels like everything is in place. “From a management point of view, we have a group that’s going to be together for a while,” he said, pointing to the stability brought by David Stearns. “But we still have a ways to go as far as infrastructure… I always believe in innovating.” Translation: Just because the Dodgers have a well-oiled machine doesn’t mean Cohen won’t build one of his own.
But what would constitute a successful season? Cohen didn’t dance around it. “We’ve got to make the playoffs. That’s the minimum,” he said, before making it clear that he isn’t just here for a participation trophy. “We want to go to the World Series. We want to win. If we put ourselves in that position enough… we’re going to win a World Series at some point.” That’s not a promise, but it’s the kind of relentless pursuit of excellence that makes Mets fans believe, even after decades of heartbreak.
When it comes to the ongoing topic of the luxury tax, Cohen addressed the so-called "Cohen tax" directly. “I’d like to get below the Cohen tax, you know, whatever. I’m sure it’s about me. There’s a lot of Cohens out there,” he quipped. He then jokingly added, “I’m a piker now compared to the Dodgers.” But don’t think for a second that he’s content playing second fiddle. When asked about how he views the Dodgers’ massive spending, Cohen took a diplomatic approach, acknowledging their success without criticizing their methods. “They’ve built a great business over there with revenues that are significantly above almost any other team. And that gives them the ability to do things that perhaps other teams can’t do. So kudos to them,” he said.
Cohen also addressed the ever-shifting landscape of baseball, drawing parallels to his career in the financial world. When I asked about how quickly things change in baseball, he asked me, "Have you ever traded markets before? They change pretty rapidly, too." He then expanded on the similarities, saying, “There are a lot of similarities between being in the markets, running a hedge fund, and running a team. Things change pretty quickly, and you have to have flexible thinking. How you think what’s happening, you have to be really adaptable when things are changing. And so there are a lot of similarities there, and I’m kind of used to doing it.” This adaptability, he emphasized, is key in both his financial world and in the ever-evolving world of baseball.
As for where the Mets stand now, Cohen said, “From a business perspective, baseball is changing rapidly, and I’ve been able to adapt. We’re building a foundation for long-term success, and I think we’re heading in the right direction.”
Cohen also addressed the Mets' attendance last season, expressing his dissatisfaction with where the team ranked. “Yeah, I didn’t like it. That really bothered me,” he admitted. The Mets ranked 18th in attendance despite being in the midst of a pennant race. Cohen pointed to a series against the Nationals just before the final Philly series, where only 18,000 fans showed up. “I’m really hopeful this year. I’m told that usually attendance lags performance, so I’m really looking forward to this year being a year when the fans come out.” He believes the atmosphere at Citi Field is primed for an exciting season. “I think the fans are having a great time. When I look out at the stadium, I think it’s a great game presentation. We have a great team, I think. I’m really excited by it. I think it’s going to be a fun place to be this year.” The addition of Juan Soto, he explained, was part of the effort to not just improve the team on the field, but to also provide a reason for fans to show up in greater numbers.
And for those keeping score at home, yes, Cohen is still looking to build a team that will not just compete but dominate. If there’s one thing Mets fans should take from Cohen’s presser, it’s that the owner is determined to make sure the Mets’ future is as bright as possible.
So buckle up, Mets fans. The Steve Cohen era is still in full swing, and if his words hold true, there are a few more banners in our future.
The Steve Cohen era is still in full swing, and if his words hold true, there are a few more banners in our future.
Here is the full press conference :
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