David Stearns seemed itchy to leave his introductory press conference with the New York Mets on Monday. It’s not that the new President of Baseball Operations wasn’t happy to discuss his special day. It’s just, well, he wanted to get to work.
And Stearns has quite the to-do list. Before he even makes a list of managerial candidates, enters negotiations with slugger Pete Alonso or contemplates pursuing Shohei Ohtani or Juan Soto this offseason, the former Milwaukee Brewers executive must get to know those who now work for him in the Mets front office and familiarize himself with the organization from top to bottom.
That said, Stearns and owner Steve Cohen did shed some light into their thinking on several important topics Monday.
Here are five key takeaways from David Stearn’s first day on the job with the Mets.
David Stearns era begins with Mets mea culpa
It wouldn’t be the Mets without a PR snafu, right? Well, that’s how the Stearns era began with the Mets as he and the team were criticized for somewhat mishandling the firing of manager Buck Showalter.
Cohen said it was Stearns’ right to choose his own manager. But local media criticized the new chief executive for having general manager Billy Eppler inform Showalter of the news Saturday night.
Of course, Stearns was still under contract with the Brewers until the regular season concluded Sunday. So, he wasn’t Showalter’s boss and couldn’t speak with him, much less relieve him of his duties. Eppler asked if Showalter wished to resign but the manager preferred to finish out the season Sunday — receiving a warm reception from his players when he brought his final lineup card out to the umpires.
Cohen acknowledged the bad optics Monday and Stearns said he reached out to Showalter his first day on the job, but they hadn’t spoken yet.
New York Mets will “cast wide net” for next manager
Stearns wasn’t asked specifically about Craig Counsell, his manager in Milwaukee and a free agent whenever the Brewers conclude the postseason. But Stearns distanced himself from the common thinking that Counsell will automatically be the next Mets manager.
“No one I have in mind,” Stearns said. “We’ll cast a wide net.”
It should be noted that Stearns never has hired a manager. He inherited Counsell with the Brewers in 2015 and retained him throughout his time there.
Mets plan to be competitive in 2024. What does that mean?
Stearns is a smart guy. He didn’t allow himself to be painted into a corner when asked about how aggressive the Mets will be in assembling their 2024 roster.
“It’s a reasonable expectation to compete every year,” Stearns said.
OK.
He also said, “having resources (read: Steve Cohen’s massive cash flow) is an advantage” and “at appropriate times we will use that advantage.”
So, does that mean the Mets will pursue Ohtani as a free agent this winter? Or will they consider trading for Soto, set to be the star free agent after next season, and sign him to a huge deal?
Well, Stearns can’t talk about players on other teams. But buying a championship (and in the case of Soto, trading away key prospects, too) doesn’t seem to be his style. Something else he said likely showed more of what makes up Stearns’ baseball DNA.
“Foundation is we have to produce our own talent pipeline consistently” and when you make player moves, make sure you “don’t detract from future years.”
He summed up the offseason plan as being a difficult “needle to thread.”
David Stearns expects Pete Alonso to play for Mets in 2024
Regarding Alonso, Stearns again said a lot of the right things, while smartly not laying out his plan for the slugging first baseman. Alonso, immensely popular and already fourth on the Mets all-time home run list (192) after bashing 46 this season, can be a free agent after next season.
“Pete’s an important member of this team,” Stearns said. “He’s an important member of this organization. And I think we’re really fortunate to have him.”
Stearns then went on to call Alonso a “great player,” point out he’s “good in the clubhouse” and finished with “and he is also homegrown.”
“All of that matters,” he said.
Stearns also said, “I expect Pete to be the Opening Day first baseman next year.”
But what wasn’t said was if or how hard the Mets will try and sign Alonso to a contract extension this offseason. Or what will happen if he remains unsigned ahead of the MLB trade deadline next summer.
David Stearns is a longtime Mets fan, and that means something
Besides his billions of dollars and willingness to spend to make the Mets a “best in class” organization, fans love Cohen because he’s a true New Yorker and longtime Mets fan.
David Stearns is each of those, as well.
Stearns namedropped Mets broadcasters Gary Cohen, Bob Murphy and Ed Coleman as the soundtrack of his youth growing up in New York City. He confessed to sneaking into Shea Stadium as a kid. He shared the pain and frustration of being a Mets fan in the 1990s and the joy of the 1999 and 2000 playoff runs. He mentioned how he was at Mike Piazza’s first game with the Mets.
He also reflected on working for the Brooklyn Cyclones, the Mets nearby single-A affiliate, one summer. And starting his MLB career as an intern with the Mets. Stearns also added that now his kids can grow up Mets fans.
“This is my home.”
All of it adds up to a nice homecoming story. But there’s work to be done. So, David Stearns exited his press conference Monday, ready to roll up his sleeves and begin charting the future of the team he grew up rooting for.