Mets Enjoy Amazin’ Start

By Isaac Groffman ‘23
Following an action-packed start to the Baseball season, three top teams have emerged. In terms of Win-Loss record the Dodgers and Giants lead Major League Baseball, each having a record of 7-2  (as of April 18th), while the Mets have gotten their season off to a great start after their eventful offseason (which featured a 99-day work stoppage alongside a hectic free agency) with a record of 7-3m and are currently holding the first place spot in their division. 
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Seeing their team ranked next to MLB powerhouses such as the Dodgers, who won 106 games in 2021, and the Giants, who won 107, is odd for Mets fans, whose team won just 77 games last season. 
The Mets’ unexpected success can be attributed to their new owner Steve Cohen. A billionaire hedge fund manager who bought the team in 2020 for a record-breaking $2.4 billion, Cohen quickly gained Mets fans’ trust due to his ‘win now’ mentality. It is no secret that Cohen is passionate about making the Mets the best team in baseball, and with his billions, will seemingly stop at nothing to make this a reality. 
Junior Dash Kriezman is looking forward to the rest of the season, saying, “I am satisfied with the team’s performance so far and I think we have a chance to go pretty far in the postseason.”
Fellow junior Alec Stein also commented, “It was a great offseason and I am looking forward to the [main] season.”
After buying the team, Cohen immediately made his presence known by trading for superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor, who he later signed to a 10-year, $341 million extension, along with picking up all-star pitcher Carlos Carrasco. Cohen went on to make more solid moves in the 2020-2021 offseason, signing relievers Trevor May and Aaron Loup, starting pitcher Taijuan Walker, Catcher James McCann, outfielder Kevin Pillar and infielder Jonathan Villar. 
These moves were a welcome sight for Mets fans who had to suffer through the previous ownership of the Wilpon family for decades, who were notorious for being cheap and putting their financial gain over the team’s success. 
Despite Cohen’s efforts in the 2020-2021 offseason, many issues remain with the Mets roster. After spending 103 days in first place to start the 2021 season, the Mets imploded towards its end. And after making just 15 starts, Mets ace Jacob deGrom was injured and out for the rest of the season. 
Many of the Mets’ other star players were injured, causing backup players to take their places. Due to their lackluster performance, the Mets finished the 2021 season as one of the worst offensive teams in the MLB in a disappointing fourth-place finish.
 The 2021 season left a sour taste in Mets fans’ mouths, and Cohen vowed that the following season would be different, with his main priority for the 2021-2022 offseason being to improve the team’s dreadful offense. Cohen started by signing star outfielders Starling Marte and Mark Canha, along with all-star third baseman Eduardo Escobar. However, the Mets grabbed the baseball fans’ attention when they signed eight-time all-star and future hall of fame pitcher Max Scherzer. 
Junior Rafael Turetsky says that he is “feeling optimistic” about the season so far, yet as a long time Mets fan, he is afraid they will pull a “Metsie” and fail to finish strongly. 
With all these signings, Cohen seems confident in his team for the 2022 season. If the Mets can stay healthy and keep hitting well, Mets fans can look forward to a successful season of baseball.

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