New York Mets owner Steve Cohen made it clear Monday that the franchise will not name a team captain as long as he is in charge. Speaking during his first media session of spring training, Cohen said he believes leadership should develop naturally inside the clubhouse rather than through formal titles.
“As long as I’m owning the team, there will never be a team captain,” Cohen said. “My view is the locker room is unique. Let the locker room sort it out, year in and year out.”
The stance comes as the Mets enter a new era, having said goodbye to Pete Alonso, Edwin Díaz, and other longtime fixtures before Christmas. New York retooled quickly, signing Bo Bichette and trading for All‑Star pitcher Freddy Peralta to reshape the roster.
New Faces, New Energy in Mets Camp
Cohen said he already senses a different tone inside the clubhouse as the team begins its first full‑squad workouts. “I sense an energy that really is exciting,” he said. “These are new faces, fresh faces that I think our fans are really going to enjoy watching. It’s different, and I think we’ll play a different type of baseball.”
The Mets are entering their third season under manager Carlos Mendoza after missing the playoffs in 2025, one year removed from reaching the NL Championship Series.
Why Cohen Rejects the Captain Tradition
The Yankees famously had Derek Jeter as “the captain” for two decades, but Cohen said being an owner in the same city won’t influence his philosophy. His stance also avoids a potentially awkward choice between stars Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto.
“Every year the team’s different,” Cohen said. “Let the team figure it out in the locker room rather than having a designation. Having a captain in baseball doesn’t happen often. It’s unusual.”
Frustration With 40 Years Without a Title
Cohen didn’t hide his irritation with the franchise’s championship drought. The Mets have alternated between making and missing the playoffs during his tenure, and last season’s NLCS loss to the Dodgers added to the frustration.
“About not winning? Yeah, I’m annoyed,” Cohen said. “Every year that goes by, I get frustrated. We’re celebrating the 40th anniversary of 1986, and that’s just too long.”
Labor Talks, Dodgers Spending, and a Missed Free Agent
Cohen said he has no issue with the Dodgers’ aggressive spending — even joking that he could spend big too. He also didn’t rule out supporting a salary cap in future collective bargaining talks, saying he remains a “league‑first owner.”
The Mets believed they were close to landing four‑time All‑Star Kyle Tucker before he signed with Los Angeles. “I’m competitive,” Cohen said. “You don’t want to lose. Then you move on.”
More Investment Coming in Player Development
The Mets will soon break ground on a new 55,000‑square‑foot player development complex in Port St. Lucie, featuring upgraded locker rooms, therapy pools, training areas, and dining facilities — another sign of Cohen’s long‑term commitment.
