Evan Roberts believes Steve Cohen just challenged Mets fans to show their appreciation after signing Juan Soto to the richest contract in the sport’s history.
After listening to the Mets owner on the Meet at the Apple podcast with Howie Rose, Evan is convinced that Cohen is challenging fans to get to the ballpark in 2025 after New York won the offseason by prying Soto from the Yankees in free agency.
“The owner of the New York Mets is talking to his fans,” Evan said. “He’s not just saying ‘Hey guys, I love you. I just gave you Juan Soto.’ He’s threatening Met fans. It may sound stark and kind of crazy…but Steve Cohen decided to challenge us as Mets fans.”
Cohen had this to say when speaking to Rose on the podcast published Monday:
“I committed, highly committed putting the best product on the field,” Cohen said. “I was a little disappointed in the attendance last year given the quality of the team. I’m hoping the fans come out this year, because I just think it’s a blast there.”
Cohen added Tuesday when talking to reporters that he was upset by the turnout last season, when the Mets made a surprising run to the NLCS, but has seen an uptick in ticket sales for 2025 and anticipates a better turnout. The Mets were 18th in attendance last season, and Evan believes Cohen is expecting a significant bump this season, or else the Soto-type signings are going to disappear.
“What daddy just said was, ‘I just spent a crapload of money, and where were you? Why weren’t you at my ballpark?’” Evan said, “I took that as ‘I did my part, now it’s time for you to do your part.’
“I think Steve Cohen is having an honest conversation with all of us…he went into his own pocket and spent money, and he’s reminding Mets fans, ‘Hey guys, you better show up.’ He’s telling you ‘You better not do this to me again.’ He’s still telling you, ‘You better show up, or I’m not gonna spend.’ That’s how I took it.”