If it was not clear before, New York Mets owner Steve Cohen hopes it is clear now: it is a new era for the Mets franchise.
Cohen addressed reporters on Monday ahead of the Mets’ season-opener against the Philadelphia Phillies and for the first time since the Francisco Lindor extension — sending multiple messages of optimism to the fan base.
“I told you I’m all in,” Cohen said about the Lindor extension. “And this should leave no doubt.”
The Mets’ trade for Lindor was arguably the biggest move of the offseason but extending the All-Star shortstop was crucial in making sure he’ll be a Met for life but also to show that the nickel and diming days of the Wilpons is long gone.
Cohen said fans can expect the team to be aggressive like this when it comes to future free agents as well.
“We’re going to be significant players for free agents down the road,” he said. “And we’re going to act like a major-market club.”
The addition of Lindor this offseason has expectations high for the Mets — who have not begun their season due to a COVID outbreak on the Nationals over the weekend.
Cohen stopped short of making any sort of World Series prediction, but he does expect to see the team playing in October.
“I’m not going to predict a World Series out of the gate,” he said. “But what I do think is we’re going to be very competitive and I do believe we’re going to make the playoffs and once you get into the playoffs, anything can happen, right?
“The team looks good to me and I think the fans are really going to enjoy this team.”
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