New York Mets owner Steve Cohen sat down with Howie Rose on the Mets’d Up podcast to discuss the future of development around Citi Field, more fan experiences (like a potential Bobby Bonilla Day), and overall, what he sees for the future of the organization. One important area he touched upon was the farm system.
When speaking with Rose, Cohen said, “I inherited a farm system that was hollowed out and I’ve been investing in the farm system. I’ve been investing in technologies, investing in personnel, and trying to drive the farm system to where it needs to go.” In all fairness to Cohen, this is partially correct.
Certainly, Brodie Van Wagenen’s tenure as general manager did see the Mets part with far too many prospects with no postseason appearances to show for it. There also was some attrition in the farm from players like Pete Alonso and Jeff McNeil making their Major League debuts and becoming All-Star caliber players.
It should also be mentioned the Mets farm has thinned a bit under Cohen. There was significant prospect capital moved in the Francisco Lindor, Javier Báez, and other trades. That said, Cohen is right that the Mets farm system did not have the technologies other teams have had at their disposal to help develop their prospects.
To that end, Cohen said, ““I’m investing in all parts of the organization…The whole point is to take players that are already good and talented, and find ways to improve them.”
How that is occurring was partially discussed on the MMO Weekly podcast where new Syracuse Mets hitting coach Colin Hetzler discussed how the team is using technology to help improve their hitters. The same investments are occurring with their pitchers as well. We also see how the Mets are growing from one of the smaller analytics departments in the game under the Wilpons to now one of the largest in the game.
Despite the limitations analytically and technologically under the Wilpons, the Mets were the best drafting team in the National League. Now, the scouting department has more tools at their disposal to identify talented players. Moreover, the player development side now has more tools at their disposal to better develop their prospects.
While we focus on signings like Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander, this is where Cohen may have the greatest impact. He is going to take the Mets biggest strength and make it stronger. That is exactly how the Mets build the sustained winner he promised to build.
