Mets Owner Steve Cohen Says No Team Captain Under His Watch

Cohen wants the Mets' locker room to "sort it out" year-to-year instead of having a designated leader.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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New York Mets owner Steve Cohen said he will never allow the team to have a captain as long as he owns the franchise. Cohen believes the locker room should determine its own leadership each season rather than having a designated captain. The Mets are entering their third season under manager Carlos Mendoza after missing the playoffs in 2023 following a run to the 2024 NL championship series.

Why it matters

The Mets have not won a World Series since 1986, and Cohen is eager to end that drought. His decision to not have a team captain is an unconventional approach, as many successful MLB teams have had a designated leader, such as the Yankees' Derek Jeter. Cohen's stance could impact the team's dynamic and leadership structure.

The details

Cohen said he made the decision that the Mets will never have a team captain as long as he owns the franchise. He believes the locker room should determine its own leadership each year rather than having a designated captain. The Mets made several offseason moves, including the additions of free agent Bo Bichette and the trade for All-Star pitcher Freddy Peralta, after missing the playoffs in 2023 following a 2024 NLCS appearance.

  • The Mets are entering their third season under manager Carlos Mendoza.
  • The Mets last won the World Series in 1986.

The players

Steve Cohen

The owner of the New York Mets who has decided the team will never have a team captain as long as he owns the franchise.

Carlos Mendoza

The manager of the New York Mets, who is entering his third season with the team.

Pete Alonso

A popular slugger who the Mets said goodbye to before the 2026 season.

Edwin Díaz

The Mets' star closer who they said goodbye to before the 2026 season.

Bo Bichette

A free agent the Mets signed in the offseason.

Freddy Peralta

An All-Star pitcher the Mets traded for in the offseason.

Francisco Lindor

One of the Mets' biggest stars.

Juan Soto

One of the Mets' biggest stars.

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What they’re saying

“As long as I'm owning the team, there will never be a team captain. That was my decision. My view is the locker room is unique. And let the locker room sort it out, year in, year out.”

— Steve Cohen, Owner, New York Mets (Associated Press)

“I just was in that locker room and in the meeting and I sense an energy that really is exciting. These are new faces, fresh faces that I think our fans are really going to enjoy watch playing. It's different. And I think we'll play a different type of baseball, and I think that's great.”

— Steve Cohen, Owner, New York Mets (Associated Press)

What’s next

The Mets will have to determine their team leadership structure without a designated captain, which could impact the team's dynamics and chemistry as they aim to end their World Series drought.

The takeaway

Steve Cohen's unconventional decision to not have a team captain is a departure from the traditional approach of many successful MLB franchises. It remains to be seen how this will impact the Mets' locker room and on-field leadership as they look to end their 40-year World Series championship drought.