Mets Owner Steve Cohen Bullish on 2026 Roster

Cohen expects new-look Mets to be a playoff team despite offseason departures of fan favorites

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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In an exclusive interview, New York Mets owner Steve Cohen expressed excitement about his team's roster changes this offseason, saying he expects the 2026 Mets to be a playoff team. Despite parting ways with franchise cornerstones like Brandon Nimmo, Pete Alonso, Edwin Díaz, and Jeff McNeil, the Mets made several key additions, including Marcus Semien, Jorge Polanco, Devin Williams, Luke Weaver, Luis Robert Jr., and Freddy Peralta. Cohen acknowledged the difficulty of losing players he had developed relationships with, but said he was reminded by team president David Stearns that the offseason doesn't end in December.

Why it matters

The Mets' offseason moves have significantly reshaped the roster, raising expectations for the 2026 season. Cohen's optimism about the team's playoff potential despite the departures of popular players signals a shift in the team's direction and a willingness to make bold moves to build a contender.

The details

The Mets made several notable additions this offseason, including second baseman Marcus Semien, first baseman Jorge Polanco, relievers Devin Williams and Luke Weaver, outfielder Luis Robert Jr., and starting pitcher Freddy Peralta. These moves came after the team parted ways with Brandon Nimmo, Pete Alonso, Edwin Díaz, and Jeff McNeil, all of whom were key contributors in recent seasons. Cohen acknowledged the difficulty of losing players he had developed relationships with, but said he was confident the new-look roster would be a playoff team.

  • The Mets' offseason roster moves took place in the months leading up to the start of spring training in 2026.

The players

Steve Cohen

The owner of the New York Mets, who purchased the team in 2020 and is now overseeing a major roster overhaul.

David Stearns

The president of baseball operations for the New York Mets, who has been reminding Cohen that the offseason doesn't end in December.

Brandon Nimmo

A former Mets outfielder who was traded to the Texas Rangers this offseason.

Pete Alonso

A former Mets first baseman who departed the team this offseason.

Edwin Díaz

A former Mets relief pitcher who left the team this offseason.

Jeff McNeil

A former Mets infielder who was part of the roster turnover this offseason.

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What they’re saying

“I'm excited by this team. It's different than the team we had last year, but I mean a lot of these players that we got are playoff tested, I expect this team to be a playoff team. So having players like this that have performed in those situations really gets me excited.”

— Steve Cohen, Mets Owner (Mets Radio)

“I can totally understand how the fans felt when they're losing players that they developed relationships with...change is hard. I felt it too, by the way. The players that left were the players that I started with in my ownership, day one.”

— Steve Cohen, Mets Owner (Mets Radio)

“I get reminded over and over again by David [Stearns] that the offseason doesn't end in December and it can actually continue into February.”

— Steve Cohen, Mets Owner (Mets Radio)

What’s next

The Mets will look to build on their offseason moves as they prepare for the 2026 season, with owner Steve Cohen expressing high expectations for the new-look roster.

The takeaway

Steve Cohen's bold claims about the 2026 Mets reflect a willingness to make significant changes to the roster in pursuit of a playoff berth, even if it means parting ways with fan-favorite players. The Mets' offseason overhaul signals a shift in the team's direction under Cohen's ownership.