Cohen talks state of Mets, Trade Deadline

LONDON — Mets owner Steve Cohen painted a hopeful picture of the club on Sunday morning, saying he is not ready to make the types of Trade Deadline decisions that could impact the short- and long-term future of his club.

“I tell you, it’s amazing,” Cohen said before the final game of the London Series at London Stadium. “Forgetting the Mets, all anybody wants to talk about in the season — it’s not the season. It’s the Trade Deadline. It’s going to come, guys. I’m telling you, it’s going to come. It will be here shortly. But in the meanwhile, I’m going to focus on winning games.”

Pressed on whether he might authorize a selloff of players on expiring contracts — much as he did last year in allowing the trades of Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander and others at the Deadline — Cohen demurred. He cautioned that there is no guarantee pursuing a similar strategy would net the Mets a strong return.

Among the most notable Mets on expiring contracts are Pete Alonso, J.D. Martinez and Luis Severino.

The Mets entered Sunday’s play 27-36, three games worse than they were at this point last season. Yet to date, Cohen said, he has not had any Trade Deadline strategy discussions with president of baseball operations David Stearns.

“What are we, four games out of the Wild Card?” Cohen said. “We shouldn’t be proud of that, right? We’re still nine games under [.500]. But it gives you the opportunity to make the season a success. And so that’s the way I’m looking at it.”

Cohen, whose Point72 financial firm keeps a permanent office in London, has been in England since last weekend attending to business matters. He lauded the city and offered a strong assessment of its culinary scene.

“I love London,” Cohen said. “I think the food here is fantastic. I think it’s better than [the food in] New York.”