In a stunning revelation, former New York Mets general manager Jim Duquette launched a scathing critique of the franchise’s current direction under owner Steven Cohen. Duquette, who helmed the Mets’ front office from 2004 to 2006, expressed deep concerns over the team’s lack of a long-term, sustainable plan for building a championship contender. Instead, he argued that Cohen has become overly focused on outspending the competition, especially in light of the Mets’ frenzied pursuit of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ $380 million payroll model, rather than prioritizing core player development or competing with a “mystery team” for stars like Pete Alonso.
During an exclusive interview, Duquette pulled no punches, saying that Cohen’s lavish spending spree – designed to compete with big-market giants like the Dodgers – has overshadowed the importance of a more prudent, balanced approach to roster construction. “The problem isn’t that Cohen has money to burn,” Duquette said. “It’s that he’s spent it recklessly without building a clear, sustainable foundation for the team. The focus on the Dodgers’ star-studded roster has led them into a situation where they’re spending big money just to stay afloat, not to build a true championship-caliber team.”
Duquette’s comments came as the Mets’ lavish spending over the past few seasons raised eyebrows across the league. Under Cohen, the Mets splurged on high-priced free agents and extensions for players such as Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, and Francisco Lindor, seeking to compete with top-tier teams that had established success through years of smart roster management. However, Duquette argued that these expenditures are merely window dressing, as the team has failed to cultivate a sustainable pipeline of talent or lay down the foundations for long-term success.
“Chasing the Dodgers’ $380 million payroll is like chasing a mirage,” Duquette remarked, referring to the Dodgers’ ability to balance elite talent with financial flexibility. “The Mets are simply throwing money at the problem, instead of realizing that they need a more disciplined approach to building a team from the ground up. Look at the Yankees, look at the Braves – they build their teams on homegrown talent. They know when to spend, and when to develop internally.”
One of Duquette’s most significant criticisms centered around the Mets’ handling of Pete Alonso, one of the most promising homegrown players in recent franchise history. Alonso, who has been the face of the Mets’ offense in recent years, has been the subject of trade rumors, with speculation growing over whether the Mets would be able to retain him long term.
Duquette’s revelation: the Mets have failed to properly compete with so-called “mystery teams” – unidentified franchises that might swoop in to steal away their star slugger. He pointed to a missed opportunity for the team to show real commitment by offering Alonso a long-term deal and surrounding him with a stable, competitive roster. Instead, Duquette said, Cohen’s approach seems to be about putting out fires rather than creating a legitimate path forward.
“Alonso is your centerpiece. You build around him, and you give him the players to succeed with,” Duquette said. “Instead, the Mets seem to have taken the approach that ‘we’ll throw money at the next big thing’ rather than establishing a core identity.”
Duquette stressed that while the Mets have the financial power to make big splashes in free agency, their inability to maintain long-term competitiveness could leave them vulnerable in the years to come. “The reality is that financial muscle doesn’t guarantee long-term success,” Duquette stated. “Just ask the Yankees, who have tried to keep pace with the Red Sox and the Astros. Money can only take you so far.”
The former GM’s impassioned critique adds to the growing sense of frustration among Mets fans who have watched their team teeter between periods of unsustainable spending and lack of coherent team-building strategy. With a new season approaching and uncertainty swirling around key players, the question remains whether Cohen and his front office will heed Duquette’s advice and focus on a more calculated, long-term approach – or continue down the path of chasing the glittering but ultimately elusive promise of a $380 million championship roster.
For now, Mets fans and critics alike are left wondering: can Cohen break free from his pursuit of the Dodgers’ lavish model and put the Mets on a path to sustained success? Only time will tell.
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