"Frustrated" NY Mets Owner Blasts Players, Threatens Changes

While the New York Mets continue their June Swoon, going 6-16 this month and dropping to 4th place in the NL East at 36-43, billionaire owner Steve Cohen has finally come out publicly and laid it on the line for his struggling team: He is "frustrated" with their performance, and is threatening changes if they don't improve.

Steve Cohen:

"I'm preparing my management team for all possibilities. If we don't get better we have decisions to make at the trade deadline. That's not my preferred end result but I'm preparing all contingencies." pic.twitter.com/KQE6qtXAPh
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 28, 2023

"It's been incredibly frustrating," said Cohen, the man who signs the checks. "I'm preparing my management team for all possibilities. If we don't get better we have decisions to make at the trade deadline. That's not my preferred end result but I'm preparing all contingencies. It's on the players."

And it does sound like it's the players he's laying the blame on, as he confirmed (as much as the words are worth at this point) that GM Billy Eppler and manager Buck Showalter will remain in their jobs for the rest of the season.

Why isn't Steve Cohen on board with the idea of midseason firings? In part because he wants to attract the best and brightest talent to Queens, he says. Cohen understands that being reactionary could turn people off from wanting to work here.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) June 28, 2023

As noted by Mets beat writer Anthony DiComo, Cohen doesn't want to be seen as "reactionary" with any possible mid-season firings, possibly turning off others from wanting to take Mets' positions.

While their situation in the NL East is a write-offf, as they're 16.5 games back of the first place Atlanta Braves, the Mets also sit 8.5 games back of the final Wild Card spot, and would have to climb over five other teams ahead of them first.

Photo: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports