Mets reliever expects Steve Cohen to compete in 2024

New York Mets relief pitcher Adam Ottavino isn't worried about big-spending club owner Steve Cohen potentially punting on 2024 with 2025 in mind. 

"He’s not gonna sit back and let the team drown," Ottavino insisted following a recent conversation he had with Cohen, per Dan Martin of the New York Post. "That’s not who he is. He didn’t get into this to not be competitive." 

Questions about Cohen's short-term plans arose among fans and analysts, alike, after the club's much-publicized fire sale that involved acquiring prospects for proven commodities such as 2023 closer David Robertson and also starters Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander. A story shared Wednesday then seemed to confirm information revealed by Scherzer last week about the Mets supposedly using 2024 as "a kind of transitory year" following one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history. 

Ottavino expects Cohen and company will nevertheless be active in free agency and live up to a promise made in a letter sent to season-ticket holders about fielding a "formidable" team next year.

"Steve is still gonna have a better payroll than most teams and we’re still gonna have a chance to win every year," Ottavino explained. "He can still build up the good base [in the minor league system] that he wants and win at this level." 

Ottavino turns 38 years old in November and intends to exercise his 2024 player option to stay with a Mets team that features star shortstop Francisco Lindor, All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso, Japanese ace Kodai Senga and exciting young catcher Francisco Alvarez.

"We have talent here," Ottavino continued. "(Baseball) turns on a dime. As quick as we got to 100 wins [last year] to whatever we’re gonna have this year, it can go in the other direction just as quick." 

USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported this past Sunday that the Mets could make both Alonso and All-Star closer Edwin Diaz available to would-be buyers this offseason. One wonders if Ottavino would have second thoughts about staying with the Mets if either of those fan favorites were traded before players report for spring training early next year.