Photo: Steve Marcus

We heard from Steve Cohen for the first time Tuesday afternoon. First impressions go a long way with Mets fans.

He said, “You want to win. Nobody remembers when you finish second or third place. We are starting with our homegrown talent and building from there. When we need to fill a gap, we will fill it. That might be through a free agent or it might be through a trade.”

And then Cohen said, “We’re going to strengthen our farm system. Keep our players healthy and use the best analytics.”

All good and all for the Mets. The new regime is off to a good start in what was the most anticipated news conference the Mets have had in years, next to the acquisition of Mike Piazza. 

If you had to provide a grade from this initial Zoom Conference greeting with media, seen on all Mets social media platforms, this was A+ and beyond. 

Let’s face it, when Cohen said there will be a focus on the farm system it was erasing all the giveaways that got away and for nothing special in return under the previous regime of Brodie Van Wagenen.

And Sandy “The Master” Alderson, with all the years of experience and respect in the game, will have full control. We waited to hear from Alderson. He almost assured that Luis Rojas will return as manager and that’s a good thing. 

You take this as all good and that step in the right direction. Mets fans have been hoping for this and it was a long time coming. Through thick and hell, years of misery, 2020 more remembered for turmoil and beyond baseball, Steve Cohen gave Mets fans hope.

Perhaps it won’t be long before a championship banner rises again at Citi Field. And if a championship does not come next year, Steve Cohen will be disappointed. We will all be disappointed. 

“You build champions, you don’t buy them,” Cohen said. 

That my friends is a direction all of baseball is expected to encounter after billions of dollars were lost this past 60-game season. The purchasing power, with all of the money Steve Cohen brings may supersede 29 other teams, but building that farm system will eventually be a route to success for the Mets. 

Keep in mind, with the economics, a championship could be next year or the year after. Three to five years, as Cohen alluded, would be disappointing. Regardless, Mets fans heard something different and direct from Steve Cohen.

They want a championship next year. Steve Cohen, the life long Mets fan also wants to appease the fan base. He thinks like those fans. He hears from them. He responds to them.

They have not heard this direct response and sincerity as they did Tuesday afternoon and it was a distinct difference from the Wilpon era. 

But remember, Cohen will leave the business decisions to Sandy Alderson. The reorganization of a front office, head of baseball operations, and general manager. Alderson said they are already at work and we got that indication last week when he cleaned house.

So expect a splash of free agency signings sooner or later. Perhaps George Springer as the first order of business. But don’t expect the economics of baseball for Steve Cohen to expend every dollar of his billions on George Springer, Trevor Bauer, and J.T. Realmuto.

It will be a process. And as Cohen said, “We’ve got a great core on this team, and we’re going to get better and I plan to make the investments we need to succeed. We want to win now, but we’re also building for the long term.”

Believe me, baseball is paying attention. A rival and long time NL executive when reached for comment said about Alderson “In Sandy they trust. I’ve known Sandy for a long time. He has the resources to make this work.”

Those resources, no surprise is Steve Cohen the newest and richest owner in baseball. 

Rich Mancuso: Twitter@Ring786  Facebook.com./Rich Mancuso