Should Mets finally do business with Yankees under Steve Cohen?

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 28: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) New York Mets COO Jeff Wilpon (L) and majority owner Fred Wilpon during batting practice before a game against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field on Friday, June 28, 2019 in the Queens borough of New York City. The Braves defeated the Mets 6-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 28: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) New York Mets COO Jeff Wilpon (L) and majority owner Fred Wilpon during batting practice before a game against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field on Friday, June 28, 2019 in the Queens borough of New York City. The Braves defeated the Mets 6-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The Mets have always avoided business with the Yankees, but that could change.

At the end of the day, it’s hard to blame the Wilpons for being hesitant to make trades with the New York Yankees. They were one of the worst owners of anything, and New York Mets fans wouldn’t have forgiven them in the event they got fleeced in a deal by crosstown general manager Brian Cashman.

But now the Mets are run by the richest owner in the sport. Steve Cohen bought the team from Fred and Jeff Wilpon this offseason and the hedge-fund billionaire is ready to spend big even during these difficult economic times.

When asked about competing with the Yankees during his introductory press conference, Cohen said that the Mets aren’t worried about that and instead want to create their own excitement. Does that mean Cohen would overlook the fact that trading with the Yankees could potentially blow up in his face and instead be more open-minded to the idea if he feels it’ll benefit the Mets?

He should! Instead of cowering in fear at the idea of maybe screwing up and having everyone hate you, the Mets have a new mentality with Cohen running the show. He’s cleared house and brought back Sandy Alderson, so the days of Brodie Van Vagenen’s Hail Mary moves are over.

Cohen wants the Mets to have an aggressive, yet calculated approach, and if his first session with the media proves anything, it’s that he’s fearless and enthusiastic. That demeanor should indicate that any and all proposals that he feels will make the team better are on the table. Blackballing potential trade partners, regardless of their stature and/or standing with his organization, doesn’t seem like it’ll be part of his philosophy.

That’s more of a losing attitude, much like the Wilpons possessed.

We’re not saying a deal between these two teams should materialize overnight, but perhaps something could work out this offseason. The Yankees and Mets have very clear needs that one another could help solve. Who cares about potentially benefitting another team in your city? You have to take a gamble making any deal. That’s the nature of the business. It seems Cohen understands that, because we certainly know Cashman does.

At the very least, Cohen taking over could create a lot more hypothetical possibilities than either team had before. We’ll call that a start.

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