Key Takeaways From Steve Cohen’s First Spring Comments

Steve Cohen met with the media at Mets camp on Monday morning and shared some of his thoughts about the team's offseason.

Aug 14, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets owner Steve Cohen stands on the field before a ceremony to honor first baseman Pete Alonso (not pictured) for breaking the Mets all time home run record before a game against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The New York Mets had a wild offseason with a lot of key roster changes as David Stearns re-shaped the club's core into one that looks quite different than the previous group. Four long-time Mets are out, and a new group of veterans is in to help Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto try to win a title in Queens.

Read More: Mets' Francisco Lindor Reveals Timeline Goal Amid Surgery

One voice that hadn't been heard from much was owner Steve Cohen, who sent out a few tweets throughout the winter but largely sat back and let Stearns do his job to construct the team. Cohen, who did an interview with Howie Rose for the Mets' social media channels last week, met the media on Monday morning in Port St. Lucie with further thoughts on the state of his team.

"You develop these relationships. I felt what the fans felt"

Steve Cohen talks about the Mets letting some long-tenured players go this offseason and staying patient through the offseason as the Mets filled key roles: pic.twitter.com/jlr3hJRmyw

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) February 16, 2026

The session saw Cohen share some of his candid thoughts about the state of the team, which is not surprising given his reputation for being open with the media since buying the team at the end of the 2020 season. It was clear from Cohen's commentary that he wants to win soon, telling the media that 40 years is far too long for Mets fans to wait to celebrate another championship.

Steve Cohen says he's "annoyed" about the Mets not winning:

"I know how much the fans care. I know we're celebrating the 40th anniversary of 1986, and that's just too long." pic.twitter.com/pfjO30ClkF

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) February 16, 2026

The bar has been set for the Mets to reach the postseason, which Cohen feels is a good place to start for a team that has one of the highest payrolls in the league. The changes do appear to have improved the vibes around the team, which Cohen described as "a different energy" that "feels optimistic", which is a good sign after a brutal finish to the 2025 campaign.

"I feel like there's a different energy here this year than last year. I don't know what it is, it just feels really optimistic."

Steve Cohen says he's "excited" by this year's Mets: pic.twitter.com/H8WY2evNSz

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) February 16, 2026

Steve Cohen Weighs In On More Mets Topics

Another interesting tidbit to emerge from Cohen's media availability was his confidence in manager Carlos Mendoza, who survived the collapse but essentially overhauled his entire coaching staff this winter. Cohen expressed positivity about Mendoza, who he feels is a great communicator and motivator.

"I think Carlos is a great manager. I think he's a great guy and a great motivator."

Steve Cohen talks about Carlos Mendoza: pic.twitter.com/JSFs9eO4EL

— SNY (@SNYtv) February 16, 2026

The media also asked Cohen about the Dodgers, specifically in regards to losing Kyle Tucker to them. Cohen did admit he went to bed annoyed after Tucker spurned them for the Dodgers but revealed that Bo Bichette's agent called him right afterwards to begin negotiations, setting up a pivot that may have been better for the team in the long run.

Steve Cohen talks about the Mets pivoting to Bo Bichette after not getting Kyle Tucker:

"I actually went to bed annoyed. 'Oh, we didn't get him.' The agent for Bo had called us right after and discussions started. You never know how they're gonna go. They moved really quickly." pic.twitter.com/TM4dPWemsF

— SNY (@SNYtv) February 16, 2026

The other notable piece of information to come from Cohen's media availability is his statement that he will not name a team captain as long as he owns the team. There had been a lot of speculation over the last year that Lindor was essentially the captain in waiting, but Cohen explained that he feels it is up to the locker room on a yearly basis to determine who its leaders are.

"As long as I'm owning the team, there will never be a team captain. That was my decision. My view is, the locker room is unique and let the locker room sort it out year-in, year-out."

- Steve Cohen pic.twitter.com/ELWZXGQ88f

— SNY (@SNYtv) February 16, 2026

This stance makes sense since naming a team captain would essentially see Cohen putting his thumb on the scale and shifting the vibe of the locker room by declaring who he feels is more important than everyone else. The captain's role is a symbolic one for the fanbase, but there are clear leaders in every locker room that don't need a C on their jersey to indicate their status within the group.

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