‘Frustrated’ Mets owner Steve Cohen addresses team’s struggles, tweets a message to fans

Steve Cohen is echoing the frustration of the New York Mets’ players and coaches during a tough stretch where the team has dropped 13 of its last 16 games.

After the Mets were swept by the Pittsburgh Pirates in a three-game series, the team’s owner took to Twitter on Monday morning to express his own disappointment. He tweeted:

 

 

“Tough stretch, no sugarcoating it. I didn’t see this coming. I’m as frustrated as everybody else. We will get through this period. Our injured pitching will come back over the next few weeks. It is unlikely the team’s hitting with RISP will continue at this weak pace. Keep the faith!”

Just a few weeks ago, the Mets were 21 games above .500 and held a 5.5-game lead in the NL East before their series with the Rays on June 12. Now, heading into a three-game series with the Brewers at Citi Field, the Mets are 48-37 and trailing the Phillies by 1.5 games in the division.

Even with the star power of Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, and Pete Alonso at the top of their lineup, the Mets’ offense has been largely underwhelming through the first 85 games. While they rank 13th in runs scored, their team batting average sits at just 18th in Major League Baseball.

One of their biggest struggles, which Cohen pointed out, is their inability to capitalize with runners in scoring position. As a team, the Mets are hitting just .217 in those situations, the second-worst mark in the league. It’s a glaring issue that has held them back, especially given the firepower they have at the plate.

Injuries have taken a toll on the Mets’ starting rotation since before the season began when Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas went down with injuries in spring training. Montas returned last week, while Manaea is due to make his fifth rehab appearance early this week.

Kodai Senga is making progress back from a low-grade hamstring strain as a rehab assignment looms, while Tylor Megill is on the shelf with a right elbow strain. Griffin Canning was lost for the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon on a play against the Braves last week.