New York Mets Name David Stearns as President of Baseball Operations
In a move that was widely expected, the New York Mets announced on Tuesday that David Stearns would be joining the team as their new president of baseball operations. The agreement is for five years, according to a league source, with Stearns officially starting after the regular season.
With the offseason approaching, Stearns now faces several major questions regarding the future of the club. One of the most pressing questions is the timeline for winning. After a disappointing season, when do the Mets plan to fully commit to winning a championship? The team has indicated that they are looking towards 2025 and 2026 as the opening of a new competitive window, but the specifics for 2024 remain unclear. Stearns will have the opportunity to define what “competitive” means for the team moving forward.
Another key question revolves around the future of Pete Alonso, the team’s offensive cornerstone. Alonso is set to become a free agent after next season, and there are arguments both for trading him this winter and signing him to a long-term deal. Stearns will need to weigh the options and make a decision that aligns with the team’s overall strategy.
The question of whether Buck Showalter is the right manager for the Mets also looms large. Showalter won Manager of the Year last season but has struggled to replicate that success in 2023. With one year left on his contract, there are competing arguments for keeping Showalter or bringing in a manager who is better suited for a youth movement. Speculation has already begun about Craig Counsell, the current Brewers skipper who has ties to Stearns.
The Mets also need to determine how to proceed with their young position players. Francisco Alvarez, Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio, and Mark Vientos have all shown promise but integrating them into the lineup next season could come with growing pains. The team will need to carefully manage their development to ensure long-term success.
The status of Starling Marte and the outfield is another uncertainty facing the Mets. Marte has struggled with lingering groin issues all season and it remains unclear how much the team can rely on him moving forward. Stearns’ experience with managing outfield depth in Milwaukee could prove valuable as the team navigates this situation.
Finally, the Mets will need to assess their pitching rotation for 2024. While Kodai Senga and José Quintana have performed well, the performance of younger starters like David Peterson and Tylor Megill has been inconsistent. Stearns will need to evaluate whether these pitchers are ready to assume rotation spots, or if further changes are needed.
As David Stearns takes the helm of the New York Mets, these questions will guide the team’s decision-making process in the coming months. Fans will be eagerly watching to see how Stearns shapes the team’s direction and if he can steer them towards a championship in the near future.