March 20, 2021
By Anthony DeMarco
Staff Writer
The New York Mets are considered the little brother to the team they share a city with, the New York Yankees. The Yankees are the most famed and successful franchise in sports history with 27 World Series rings.
Although the Mets made the World Series in 2015 and the Yankees have experienced a World Series drought during the last decade, baseball fans still believe the Yankees are the best team in New York.
On Nov. 6, multi-billionaire businessman Steve Cohen bought the Mets from the Wilpon family for $2.4 billion. The Wilpon family was under attack for years after not doing much in prior off-seasons to improve the team.
Cohen, a lifelong Mets fan, promised the fans and team he will make the Mets a powerhouse. Cohen’s first course of action was bringing in former general manager Sandy Alderson and naming him president of baseball operations.
Alderson was with the Mets from 2010 until he took a leave of absence in 2018 after being diagnosed with cancer. When his contract was up with the club, he went to the Oakland Athletics in 2019 as senior adviser of baseball operations to general manager Billy Beane.
While the Wilpon family owned the Mets, they were fine with settling for mediocrity and just being decent; they were not striving to better the team or franchise. Cohen made it a point to aim for excellence and change the culture of this franchise.
Cohen has great pressure under the bright lights of New York. If he does not come through on his promises, the New York media will criticize and ridicule him. Diehard fans would turn on the team very quickly.
Fortunately for the Mets, Cohen has made a splash in his first three months as owner.
Cohen, a lifelong Mets fan, promised the fans and team he will make the Mets a powerhouse.
Catcher was the first position to be assessed and Cohen did not disappoint. The Mets acquired 30-year-old James McCann from a free agency to a four-year, $40 million contract. McCann is a lifetime consistent .250 hitter who produces runs and is a good anchor behind the plate.
Many fans hoped JT Realmuto, who is considered the best catcher in baseball, would also be recruited. Though Realmuto was a free agent, the Mets could not afford the $100 million contract he was looking for. The team needed to save more money to address other positions.
Lindor is a four-time all-star and a two-time Gold Glove Award winner. Lindor is one of the best all-around players in baseball. He is a true five-tool player who can consistently hit for power and contact.
Among the hardest objectives for Cohen is to have a shortstop in his prime years, but the Mets now hold the best one. Lindor will fit perfectly into the New York sports scene with his charismatic personality and visible love of the game.
Along with Lindor, the Mets also traded for Carlos “Cookie” Carrasco. Carrasco is a 33-year-old right-handed starting pitcher who spent the past 11 seasons in Cleveland. He has a career 3.77 ERA and will be a solid addition to an already strong Mets rotation, which is led by two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob DeGrom.
The Mets brought in Trevor May from the Minnesota Twins as well to strengthen a mediocre bullpen. Now with Trevor May, Edwin Diaz and Seth Lugo together in the Mets bullpen, they should not see any of the bullpen letdowns they have seen in the past.
Cohen has certainly set the foundation in his first three months. Now fans will eagerly wait to see if this team can make the playoffs and ultimately the Major League championship.
