{"id":8858,"date":"2025-12-11T03:07:36","date_gmt":"2025-12-11T03:07:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/cohen-mets-alonso-diaz\/"},"modified":"2025-12-11T03:07:36","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T03:07:36","slug":"cohen-mets-alonso-diaz","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/cohen-mets-alonso-diaz\/","title":{"rendered":"Steve Cohen urges Mets fans to stay calm after Alonso and D\u00edaz depart"},"content":{"rendered":"<article>\n<h2>Lead<\/h2>\n<p>New York Mets owner Steve Cohen asked fans for patience on Dec. 10, 2025, after two cornerstone players\u2014Pete Alonso and Edwin D\u00edaz\u2014left the organization on consecutive days. Alonso agreed to a five-year, $155 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles after seven seasons in Queens, and D\u00edaz signed a three-year, $69 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Cohen said he understood fans&#8217; frustration but emphasized that the MLB offseason remains active and the club has time to retool for a playoff push. His message followed other front-office comments at the Winter Meetings in Orlando.<\/p>\n<h2>Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Pete Alonso signed a five-year, $155 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles after seven seasons with the Mets.<\/li>\n<li>Edwin D\u00edaz agreed to a three-year, $69 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, leaving New York via free agency.<\/li>\n<li>Owner Steve Cohen told reporters and contacts that he understands fans&#8217; disappointment but highlighted remaining offseason opportunities.<\/li>\n<li>The Mets traded Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers in November 2025 as part of an early offseason roster shift.<\/li>\n<li>Reports indicate D\u00edaz was displeased with the organization\u2019s decision to part ways with pitching coach Jeremy Hefner after the season.<\/li>\n<li>Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns expressed optimism about the club\u2019s offseason work at the Winter Meetings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Background<\/h2>\n<p>The Mets entered the 2025-26 offseason under heightened expectations after recent playoff appearances and significant investment by ownership. Owner Steve Cohen, who purchased the team in 2020, has overseen large payrolls and active roster moves intended to return the franchise to postseason consistency. Free agency and trades in recent winters have reshaped the roster landscape across MLB, raising financial and strategic pressure on clubs near the luxury tax threshold. Within that environment, the departures of homegrown and high-profile players like Alonso and D\u00edaz have immediate roster and fan-engagement consequences for New York.<\/p>\n<p>Pete Alonso emerged as one of the franchise\u2019s defining bats since his debut, finishing seven seasons as the Mets\u2019 primary power hitter. Edwin D\u00edaz established himself as a premier closer, known for high-velocity stuff and late-inning dominance. Both players reached free agency with significant market interest, and the offers they received reflected demand for proven run-producers and late-inning relievers. The Mets\u2019 front office faced trade-offs between years, dollars, and broader payroll strategy while navigating a crowded offseason market.<\/p>\n<h2>Main Event<\/h2>\n<p>The Alonso move became public on Wednesday morning, with the first reports stating the slugger agreed to a five-year, $155 million contract with the Orioles. According to reporting, the Mets did not submit a formal offer to Alonso before he accepted Baltimore\u2019s deal, after the club assessed that competing offers sought more years and salary than were palatable for New York. Minutes or days later, reports confirmed D\u00edaz had accepted a three-year, $69 million agreement with the Dodgers, completing a rapid pair of losses for fans watching two franchise fixtures depart in quick succession.<\/p>\n<p>Beyond the headline contracts, the offseason already included a notable trade: outfielder Brandon Nimmo was dealt to the Texas Rangers in November 2025, reshaping the Mets\u2019 outfield mix and payroll. Internal dynamics were also cited as part of the context for departures; a source told reporters that D\u00edaz was unhappy about the organization\u2019s decision to remove pitching coach Jeremy Hefner after the season, a development that some players reportedly viewed as meaningful. Team leaders acknowledged the moves publicly and framed them as part of a work-in-progress roster strategy.<\/p>\n<p>Steve Cohen responded directly to fan sentiment, telling a New York media outlet he understood the reaction while urging calm because the offseason is far from over. Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns, speaking at the Winter Meetings in Orlando, declined to provide specifics while expressing optimism about available players and the direction of the offseason work. The front office faces a compressed window to replace production, shore up the bullpen and rotation, and balance financial constraints against competitive goals.<\/p>\n<h2>Analysis &#038; Implications<\/h2>\n<p>Strategically, losing Alonso and D\u00edaz removes two high-usage, high-impact players from both the lineup and late-inning relief, creating measurable holes in run production and leverage situations. Alonso\u2019s five-year length and $155 million guarantee reflect the market valuation for middle-of-the-order left-handed power now, and replacing that annual production without overspending will be a primary challenge for the Mets. D\u00edaz\u2019s three-year guarantee at $69 million signals continued club willingness to invest in established relievers, a market pressure that will influence New York\u2019s bullpen options.<\/p>\n<p>Financially, the Mets must weigh payroll flexibility against competitive urgency. Cohen\u2019s public messaging underscores that ownership is still engaged, but prior offseason decisions\u2014trades and roster reshuffles\u2014suggest the club is balancing long-term payroll planning and the luxury tax environment. Any aggressive counter-signing or trade to fill gaps will meet scrutiny from both a cost and roster-construction perspective, especially given the frequency and cost of top-tier free agents in recent offseasons.<\/p>\n<p>On the fan and brand side, consecutive losses of franchise players can erode goodwill and season-ticket sentiment in the short term. Cohen\u2019s appeal for patience is a reputational move intended to stabilize the fanbase and give the front office room to operate. How ownership and management translate resources into tangible roster upgrades over the coming weeks will be pivotal to restoring confidence and demonstrating a credible path back to contention.<\/p>\n<h2>Comparison &#038; Data<\/h2>\n<figure>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Player<\/th>\n<th>New Team<\/th>\n<th>Term<\/th>\n<th>Value<\/th>\n<th>Seasons with Mets<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Pete Alonso<\/td>\n<td>Baltimore Orioles<\/td>\n<td>5 years<\/td>\n<td>$155,000,000<\/td>\n<td>7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Edwin D\u00edaz<\/td>\n<td>Los Angeles Dodgers<\/td>\n<td>3 years<\/td>\n<td>$69,000,000<\/td>\n<td>\u2014 (five seasons as Mets closer included)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Brandon Nimmo<\/td>\n<td>Texas Rangers<\/td>\n<td>Traded (Nov 2025)<\/td>\n<td>Trade<\/td>\n<td>Multiple seasons<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The table above summarizes headline transactions reported this offseason. Alonso\u2019s five-year, $155 million pact is the largest single commitment among the listed moves, while D\u00edaz\u2019s deal represents a significant short-term outlay for late-inning help. Nimmo\u2019s November trade represents a roster-building decision rather than a free-agent cost and altered the Mets\u2019 positional depth prior to the Alonso and D\u00edaz departures.<\/p>\n<h2>Reactions &#038; Quotes<\/h2>\n<p>Team ownership sought to acknowledge fan frustration while insisting on a measured approach.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;I totally understand the fans&#8217; reaction. There is lots of offseason left to put a playoff team on the field.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><cite>Steve Cohen (owner), via text to Jon Heyman\/The New York Post<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Mets baseball operations leadership also addressed the media at the Winter Meetings, framing the situation as ongoing work rather than a closed chapter.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;Since the deal is not official, I can&#8217;t comment on it. I am very optimistic about where our offseason is headed.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><cite>David Stearns (Mets president of baseball operations), Winter Meetings remarks<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>One background source told reporters that D\u00edaz felt strongly about the departure of pitching coach Jeremy Hefner, a personnel change the player reportedly viewed as meaningful; the organization has not published a matching internal account of those private conversations.<\/p>\n<h2>\n<aside>\n<details>\n<summary>Explainer: How MLB free agency and offseason timing matter<\/summary>\n<p>MLB&#8217;s free-agent calendar begins in early November and stretches through the winter, with many high-value deals negotiated and announced across December and January. Teams balance guaranteed money, contract length and luxury tax implications when pursuing veteran free agents. Trades can occur at any point once the season ends, and the Winter Meetings often catalyze deals and public statements from clubs. Because negotiating windows remain open through spring training, owners and executives frequently use public messaging to manage expectations while they pursue targets.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/aside>\n<\/h2>\n<h2>Unconfirmed<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Precise internal offers the Mets may have presented to Pete Alonso before he accepted the Orioles&#8217; deal have not been independently corroborated outside reporting.<\/li>\n<li>Details about the extent to which Jeremy Hefner&#8217;s departure directly influenced Edwin D\u00edaz&#8217;s decision are reported by sources but lack on-the-record confirmation from the player or club.<\/li>\n<li>Any imminent replacement targets for Alonso\u2019s production or D\u00edaz\u2019s late-inning role have not been announced and remain speculative until deals are completed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Bottom Line<\/h2>\n<p>The consecutive departures of Pete Alonso and Edwin D\u00edaz represent clear short-term losses for the Mets in both run creation and late-inning reliability. Owner Steve Cohen&#8217;s public call for patience aims to buy the front office time to pursue replacements before Opening Day, but measurable roster gaps remain that must be addressed with targeted signings or trades.<\/p>\n<p>How the Mets allocate remaining offseason resources will determine whether Cohen&#8217;s assurance translates into a competitive roster by spring. Fans and analysts will judge the front office on concrete moves in the weeks ahead, and the organization\u2019s next transactions will be decisive for both on-field prospects and public confidence.<\/p>\n<h2>Sources<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2025\/12\/10\/sports\/steve-cohens-message-to-mets-fans-after-losing-pete-alonso-edwin-diaz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">New York Post<\/a> (media\/press)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lead New York Mets owner Steve Cohen asked fans for patience on Dec. 10, 2025, after two cornerstone players\u2014Pete Alonso and Edwin D\u00edaz\u2014left the organization on consecutive days. Alonso agreed to a five-year, $155 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles after seven seasons in Queens, and D\u00edaz signed a three-year, $69 million contract with the &#8230; <a title=\"Steve Cohen urges Mets fans to stay calm after Alonso and D\u00edaz depart\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/cohen-mets-alonso-diaz\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Steve Cohen urges Mets fans to stay calm after Alonso and D\u00edaz depart\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8856,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_title":"Steve Cohen urges Mets fans to stay calm | Inside Sports","rank_math_description":"Steve Cohen urged patience after Pete Alonso signed a five-year, $155M deal with the Orioles and Edwin D\u00edaz took a three-year, $69M Dodgers deal.","rank_math_focus_keyword":"Steve Cohen,Mets,Pete Alonso,Edwin Diaz,MLB offseason","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8858","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-top-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8858","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8858"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8858\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8856"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8858"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8858"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8858"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}