Hold onto your hats, baseball fans, because Steve Cohen just dropped a bombshell that’s sure to shake up the Mets’ locker room—and it’s not about a new trade or a record-breaking contract. The New York Mets will never have a team captain as long as Cohen owns the franchise. Yes, you read that right. In a move that’s both bold and controversial, Cohen has shut down all speculation that Francisco Lindor might one day wear the captain’s title, a role many believed was his for the taking. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing: Cohen isn’t just making a statement—he’s redefining the team’s leadership philosophy entirely.
During the Mets’ first full-squad workout in Port St. Lucie, Florida, Cohen made his stance crystal clear: ‘As long as I’m owning the team, there will never be a team captain.’ He believes the locker room should organically determine its leaders each season, rather than relying on a formal designation. ‘Let the locker room sort it out year in, year out,’ he explained. This approach marks a sharp departure from previous ownership, which saw four official captains in the team’s history: Keith Hernandez, Gary Carter, John Franco, and David Wright. The position has been vacant since Wright’s retirement in 2018, and Cohen sees no reason to revive it.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Is Cohen’s decision a forward-thinking strategy or a missed opportunity to honor a standout player like Lindor? After all, the organization itself seemed to hint at Lindor’s captaincy last July when it released—and later deleted—a video chronicling Mets captains that included him. David Wright even publicly supported the idea. So, is Cohen overlooking the value of a symbolic leader, or is he onto something by letting leadership emerge naturally?
Cohen argues that naming a captain is ‘unusual’ in baseball and that his approach aligns with the sport’s culture. ‘Every year the team’s different,’ he said. ‘Let the team figure it out in the locker room without having the designation.’ Mets manager Carlos Mendoza seems to agree, emphasizing that the focus should be on Lindor’s role as a shortstop rather than adding the pressure of a captaincy. ‘I just want him to be himself,’ Mendoza said. ‘It’s on me and our coaches to take a lot off his plate.’
And this is the part most people miss: Cohen’s decision isn’t just about leadership—it’s part of a larger vision to bring consistent, championship-level success to the Mets. Since purchasing the team in 2020, Cohen has been laser-focused on winning the franchise’s first World Series title since 1986. Now entering his sixth year as owner, he’s admittedly frustrated by the lack of a championship, despite the team’s hefty payroll and National League Championship Series appearance in 2024. ‘I’m annoyed,’ he admitted. ‘Every year that goes by, I get frustrated.’
To turn things around, Cohen oversaw a drastic offseason overhaul after the Mets’ disappointing 2025 season, where they missed the postseason with an 83-79 record. Longtime players like Brandon Nimmo, Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil, and Edwin Diaz were traded, making way for new stars like Bo Bichette, Jorge Polanco, Marcus Semien, and Luis Robert Jr. The team also acquired All-Star pitcher Freddy Peralta to strengthen its rotation. ‘When one door closes, one door opens,’ Cohen said. ‘I’m excited about the possibilities here.’
But here’s the million-dollar question: Will Cohen’s hands-off approach to captaincy and his aggressive roster moves finally bring the Mets the World Series title they’ve been chasing for decades? Or is he overlooking the intangible value of a designated leader? Let us know what you think in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to divide even the most die-hard Mets fans.
