Mets Owner Steve Cohen Ends Team Captain Debate

Cohen says there will never be a team captain as long as he owns the Mets

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Mets owner Steve Cohen announced that the team will not have a designated captain during his ownership, putting an end to the ongoing debate over who should fill that role. Cohen said he prefers to let the team dynamics develop organically in the clubhouse rather than assign the 'captain' title to a specific player.

Why it matters

The Mets have had several high-profile players in recent years who were seen as potential team captains, including Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo, and Pete Alonso. However, Cohen's decision to do away with the captain role marks a shift in the team's leadership structure and philosophy under his ownership.

The details

Cohen said the decision is based on his preference for letting the team dynamics develop naturally in the clubhouse, rather than designating a specific 'captain.' He noted that having a captain is 'actually unusual' in baseball, and that 'every year a team is different' in terms of its leadership.

  • Mets owner Steve Cohen made the announcement on Monday, February 16, 2026.

The players

Steve Cohen

The owner of the New York Mets.

Francisco Lindor

A high-profile Mets player who was seen as a potential team captain.

Brandon Nimmo

A former Mets player who was also considered a potential team captain.

Pete Alonso

Another Mets player who was viewed as a possible team captain.

David Wright

The Mets' last designated team captain, who played his final game for the team in 2018.

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What they’re saying

“There will never be a captain.”

— Steve Cohen, Mets Owner (New York Post)

“Every year a team is different. And let the team figure it out in the locker room rather than have a designation. Having a captain in baseball doesn't happen often — it's actually unusual.”

— Steve Cohen, Mets Owner (New York Post)

The takeaway

Cohen's decision to do away with the team captain role marks a significant shift in the Mets' leadership structure, moving away from the traditional model and instead allowing the team's dynamics to develop organically in the clubhouse. This approach could have implications for the team's culture and the way players emerge as leaders, though the long-term impact remains to be seen.