David Wright reacts to Mets owner Steve Cohen 'never' having a team captain

For years, it seemed to be a matter of when and not if shortstop Francisco Lindor would become the New York Mets' first team captain since beloved third baseman David Wright retired after the 2018 season. 

However, Mets owner Steve Cohen poured cold water over that notion when he said in February that the Mets "will never" name an official team captain under his watch. 

While speaking with reporters on Monday, Wright was asked about Cohen's controversial stance. 

Do Mets have multiple leaders after offseason departures?

"To me, that signals that there's a lot of leaders in that clubhouse," Wright explained, per Ben Krimmel of SNY. "That is just as good, if not better, than having a single leader. To me, times change." 

Lindor and outfielder Juan Soto are now seen as leaders of the Mets after the club said goodbye to outfielder Brandon Nimmo, first baseman Pete Alonso, closer Edwin Diaz and utility man Jeff McNeil following the 2025 season. Like Lindor, Nimmo and Alonso were previously viewed by Mets fans as potential future captains. 

That said, New York Yankees star Aaron Judge and Salvador Perez of the Kansas City Royals are the league's only recognized team captains heading into the 2026 campaign. Meanwhile, offseason additions such as third baseman Bo Bichette and second baseman Marcus Semien are expected to help eliminate whatever alleged clubhouse issues impacted the Mets last season. 

Does not having a captain make sense for 2026 Mets? 

"It makes sense when you have the veteran group that they have in here, especially with some of these young guys, where that group can get together with these young guys, these top prospects, and say, 'Hey, this is kinda how we’re gonna do it,'" Wright continued. "And I think that’s what made the success that we had when I played. It seemed like those clubhouses had a group of leaders that would, starting now, let these young players know this is how we play the game, this is how we carry ourselves, this is how even you, as a younger player, can lead by example, and I think that’s what’s going on right now."

Perhaps Soto and Lindor should speak with Wright about helping the current Mets squad put whatever went wrong for the club last summer far in the past before Opening Day 2026 arrives.