Mets' Steve Cohen explains trade deadline moves: 'Hope is not a strategy'

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

The New York Mets appeared to wave the white flag on the 2023 season as it traded key acquisitions over the last two seasons in Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander in a matter of days.

New York started the season with an opening day payroll of $336.6 million. With the Mets struggling by the trade deadline, the team turned around and traded two of the best pitchers in baseball for several prospects that could help the organization set up their future.

But was it too early to throw in the towel? Team owner Steve Cohen addressed the moves Wednesday, explaining he was addressing needs.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

The Mets traded Max Scherzer, left, to the Texas Randers and Justin Verlander to the Houston Astros. (Getty Images)

"I think the expectations were really high this year and my guess is next year they’ll be a lot lower," Cohen said. "I can’t speak to what’s going to happen in the offseason. I’m opportunistic. I don’t want to roll a team out that we’re going to be embarrassed about.

"But, we also know that spending a fortune doesn’t guarantee a trip to the playoffs. I think we’ve got to look and see what we need. Obviously we need starting pitching, and that’s the key thing."

Cohen said trading Scherzer to the Texas Rangers and Verlander back to the Houston Astros was about playing the postseason odds.

"When you look at the probabilities, what we were at, 15% (to make the postseason)? And other teams were getting better, so you have to take the odds down from that," Cohen said.

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

METS LOSE IN BRUTAL FASHION HOURS