The Steve Cohen honeymoon period is over for Joe Benigno.
Benigno filled in for Boomer Esiason alongside Gregg Giannotti on WFAN’s morning drive program on Wednesday and agreed with a caller’s anguish about the Mets’ selloff of David Robertson, Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander.
“This owner sold us a bill of goods, bro. To me it’s all about Steve Cohen,” Benigno said, cutting off Giannotti who had started to say that he understood the idea of selling at the trade deadline.
“Forget [GM] Billy Eppler. It’s all about the owner,” Benigno continued.
“Because he sold us a bill of goods. We all were delirious. We don’t have the Wilpons anymore. We’re gonna have this guy spend more money than everybody. We’re gonna compete with the Yankees, the Dodgers, everybody.
“And now, two years into it, this guy’s dumping everything. I mean c’mon! Where is Cohen? Hey Uncle Steve, how about coming on and talking to the Mets fans about how you stuck it to them here? Instead of hiding behind your paintings and your hedge funds!”
Giannotti wondered what Cohen could have said to the Mets players that would make them feel any better after Scherzer said Tuesday that the organization’s new blueprint is to contend for a World Series in 2026.
Benigno retired after 25 years as a daily WFAN host in 2020.
Benigno’s outburst follows commentary from former WFAN host Mike Francesa, who said on his BetRivers podcast earlier this week that the selloff has to be a “colossal embarrassment” for Cohen.
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.
The Mets had a $364 million payroll this season, by far the highest in baseball, but it doesn’t sound like they plan to spend big this offseason.
“We will be competitive in ’24 but I think 25-26 is when our young talent makes an impact,” Cohen told The Post’s Jon Heyman in a text message.
“Lots of pitching in free agency in ’24. More payroll flexibility in ’25. Got a lot of dead money in ’24.”