Matt Johnson
The New York Mets have been one of the biggest disappointments in baseball this season, entering play on Sunday with an 18-26 record despite having one of the highest payrolls in MLB. It’s resulted in questions being raised about changes to the front office and coaching staff.
MBL insider Robert Murray wrote this week that he believes Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns is likely safe. That has a lot to do with how coveted he was by team owner Steve Cohen and how long he waited to hire him.
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“Cohen coveted Stearns, believing he was the top candidate for the job, and waited over a year to hire him after he stepped down with the Brewers. He’s not going to fire him at the first sign of trouble.”
Robert Murray on New York mets president of baseball operations David Stearns liely being safe
Stearns, age 41, established himself as one of the best general managers in baseball during his tenure with the Milwaukee Brewers (2015–2023). After taking over as the Mets’ president of baseball operations ahead of the 2024 MLB season, he led the club to the National League Championship Series in his first year, but the team is now on the verge of consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance.
Despite the letdowns in recent years, Cohen still seems sold on Stearns’ vision for the future. So, New York’s head of baseball operations will get to dictate how the club approaches the MLB trade deadline, with a strong incentive to buy to try and preserve his job.
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That same level of trust and job security isn’t there for Mendoza. Murray wrote that the future of the Mets’ skipper “feels more uneven,” and a change is possible. What doesn’t help New York’s manager is the fact that a vacancy would attract the top managerial candidates in MLB.
Ultimately, the likeliest outcome is Mendoza being fired this year and Stearns getting to pick the next Mets’ skipper. If things don’t work out with the next manager, then Cohen would presumably clean house.
