Mets owner Steve Cohen promises 'competitive' 2024 team despite massive deadline sell-off

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The New York Mets are focusing on the future after a trade deadline sell-off that included aces Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander showed the team is waving the white flag on the 2023 season. 

It’s a disappointment for the franchise and its fan base after owner Steve Cohen was aggressive to build off a 101-win 2022 season, signing Verlander to add to a group with World Series expectations. 

Instead, the Mets never reached their potential despite having the highest payroll in MLB. The team is 50-59. 

Cohen wrote a letter to his season ticket holders promising to be a "competitive" group next year. 

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New York Mets owner Steve Cohen defended the team's deadline moves. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

"We added several key pieces to our team, but things have not turned out how we planned," Cohen said in the letter, obtained by the New York Post. "You are rightfully disappointed and so are we.

"This is not where we wanted to be in 2023. Our goal is to be a consistent contender. The only way to do this in a sustainable way is to build a pipeline of high caliber talent in our farm system that will fuel our major league team for years to come."

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The Scherzer and Verlander deals yielded top prospects from the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros. From Texas, the Mets landed top prospect Luisangel Acuña, the younger brother of Atlanta Braves phenom Ronald Acuña Jr. 

Drew Gilbert, the Astros’ top prospect, and Ryan Clifford – both outfielders — were added in the Verlander deal with Houston. 

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