BALTIMORE — Less than a week after the current version of the Mets was dismantled, owner Steve Cohen sent out a letter Friday to season-ticket holders acknowledging he is “disappointed” in the current season and promising to “work hard to field a competitive team in 2024.” 

Cohen, in the letter, which was obtained by The Post, also vowed to field a “formidable” team next season, even after expectations have dimmed due to the fact the Mets have publicly stated they won’t spend money in free agency this offseason in the same way they have the previous two years.

Cohen said earlier the past week, in Kansas City, that expectations would likely be “a lot lower.” 

“We added several key pieces to our team, but things have not turned out how we planned,” Cohen said in the letter. “You are rightfully disappointed and so are we. This is not where we wanted to be in 2023. Our goal is to be a consistent contender.

“The only way to do this in a sustainable way is to build a pipeline of high caliber talent in our farm system that will fuel our major league team for years to come.” 

The message came in the midst of a dreadful season in which Cohen set a record for team payroll, while the Mets failed to even play .500 baseball.

That led Cohen and general manager Billy Eppler to start a fire sale, trading Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, David Robertson, Tommy Pham and Mark Canha. 

And it has left Cohen and Eppler to try to explain, again and again, the change of course for the organization that entered the season with a record-high payroll, only to fall out of playoff contention by the end of July. 

“We’re just trying to restock and reload the farm system,” Eppler said after the trade deadline passed. “You have to go through a little pain to get where we want to go, but I feel that the organization is making strides towards a better future.” 

Cohen, in his letter, pointed out the presence of high-priced veterans Brandon Nimmo, Francisco Lindor, Jeff McNeil, Edwin Diaz and Pete Alonso (he was rumored to be on the market, but sources said the Mets’ asking price was extremely high), as well as less experienced players Kodai Senga, Francisco Alvarez, Brett Baty and Mark Vientos as reasons for optimism regarding the future. 

“We promise you, we will work hard to field a competitive team in 2024,” Cohen wrote. 

The letter continued: “When our players arrived in Port St. Lucie for spring training, you had high expectations for the club and so did we. We added several key pieces to our team, but things have not turned out how we planned.

“You are rightfully disappointed and so are we.” 

Everything to know about the Mets' historic sell-off

After a disappointing season, the Mets are selling off their historically expensive roster.

The Amazins dealt out some big name players before the MLB trade deadline — including now-former co-aces Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer.

Below are the players the Mets have shipped out:

Tommy Pham

The Mets traded the outfielder minutes before the 6 p.m. deadline to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Arizona is sending back 17-year shortstop Jeremy Rodriguez, who has a .751 OPS rookie ball this season.

Justin Verlander

The Mets traded out Verlander, a sure-fire Hall of Fame pitcher, back to his former team, the Houston Astros.

The Amazins reportedly will receive top Astros prospect Drew Gilbert, a Double-A outfielder, and 20-year-old outfielder Ryan Clifford, who owns a .919 OPS through 83 games in Low- and High-A this year.

Max Scherzer

Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young winner that was a co-ace with Verlander, was sold off to the Texas Rangers.

The Mets landed one of the Rangers’ top prospects, Double-A infielder Luisangel Acuña, brother of Braves star Ronald Acuña.

Mark Canha

The veteran outfielder was dealt to the Brewers for Justin Jarvis, a promising 23-year-old pitcher that was ranked No. 12 in the Brewers’ farm system.

David Robertson

The Mets traded closer David Robertson to the Miami Marlins, a move that started off the club’s deadline dismantle.

In exchange for Robertson, who is having another terrific season, the Mets received a pair of minor leaguers, infielder Marco Vargas and catcher Ronald Hernandez, from Miami.

Cohen wrote that the Mets “have infused an unprecedented amount of top-tier prospects into our system that would otherwise have taken years to accumulate.” 

The Mets are now banking on those prospects — including infielder Luisangel Acuña and outfielders Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford — turning into standout players in the majors. 

“This is not where we wanted to be in 2023,” Cohen wrote. “Our goal is to be a consistent contender. The only way to do this in a sustainable way is to build a pipeline of high caliber talent in our farm system that will fuel our major league team for years to come.”