Steve Cohen addresses Mets' trade-deadline mindset

While speaking with reporters in London on Sunday, New York Mets owner Steve Cohen suggested he's not yet thinking about signing off on a second consecutive trade-deadline fire sale amid what's become a disappointing season for the club.

"I am focused on winning games right now," Cohen said, per Mike Puma of the New York Post. "We can worry about the trade deadline, that is seven weeks away, that is 45-50 games and a lot can happen, so the focus right now is on the season and winning games and we’ll worry about [the trade deadline] when the time comes."

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns offered a similar comment in late May but acknowledged at that time the club hadn't "played like a playoff team" this spring. 

New York most recently enjoyed a positive week that included winning four of five games, but the club nevertheless began Monday at 28-36. With that said, the Mets ended the weekend just three games back in the pursuit of a potential wild-card playoff berth.

"You certainly want to have high standards," Cohen continued. "If you got into the playoffs and you are four games under.500, it’s nice to make the playoffs and anything can happen, you know that. But still, we would say, 'Wow that was not optimal.' Probably not the way you would envision it. But a lot of games left. I think the team is starting to show signs."

Last summer, the Mets punted on the 2023 season by trading multiple noteworthy individuals such as co-aces Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer. This time around, star first baseman Pete Alonso is the subject of trade rumors as he remains set to hit free agency this coming fall.

On Sunday, MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today said that Alonso "may be the perfect fit" for the Seattle Mariners. Alonso was linked with Seattle before Opening Day.

The Mets have gone 13-22 in home games this season, and ESPN stats show the club is ranked 17th in the league for home attendance figures on the campaign. 

Cohen seems to understand that trading Alonso and other contributors by the July 30 deadline for such transactions would result in more fans watching games from their homes rather than at Citi Field through September.

"Winning solves a lot and frankly that’s what we are going to have to do," Cohen added. "New York City is a competitive marketplace. There’s lots to do in New York, and to get fans to come out to the stadium you have got to give them a good product and something to get excited about. We have been spotty about that."

The Mets begin a three-game home series versus the lowly Miami Marlins (22-43) on Tuesday evening.