The Mets Finally Have A Plan with David Stearns

When Steve Cohen said he’d be disappointed without a World Series in the next 3-to-5 years when he took over the New York Mets, he imagined he would have someone like David Stearns by his side.

However, the Mets had to cycle through Sandy Alderson and Billy Eppler before they could get their guy. It wasn’t the road that anyone would’ve willingly traveled, but based on the results of Stearns’ first season at the helm, Cohen would likely do it all again.

That’s not to say that the hubbub around the Mets was not worth all of the moments leading up to the Mets’ march to the National League Championship Series—but they do make it all the more sweeter.

As Gary Cohen said, someday the worm will turn—and it did under Stearns, as well as the leadership he built.

His offseason moves (Sean Manaea, Luis Severino, Harrison Bader, Tyrone Taylor and J.D. Martinez) helped raise the floor of the 2024 New York Mets. After missing out on Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who will start against the Mets in the NLCS, Stearns and Co. didn’t opt to overpay; there was a plan in sight—add some reclamation projects to help raise the ceiling of a team in transition. It was nothing more than that. The Mets would be competitive because of their offensive depth, pitching and defense.

But the Mets were at a crossroads after a 0-5 start and later 22-33. It took a team meeting and a steady hand at manager to keep the team afloat. There was a feeling that they could sneak their way into the playoffs if everything turned right, but 11 games under .500 on Memorial Day didn’t inspire confidence in Stearns.

Initially, the fanbase struggled to grasp Stearns’s direction, primarily because tangible results were scarce. But then the worm indeed turned. Not only did key players step up, but Stearns also showcased his willingness to adapt and own up to his miscalculations.

He wasn’t afraid to say that he missed Joey Wendle. He wasn’t afraid to say that perhaps Brett Baty wasn’t the third baseman of the future. Stearns didn’t waste any time moving on from Yohan Ramírez, Michael Tonkin, Adrian Houser, Jake Diekman, and Jorge López. He was willing to eat money — Omar Narváez and others—to improve the floor of his roster with additions like Jose Iglesias, Mark Vientos and Luis Torrens.

Amidst struggles, Stearns recognized that not every move would yield immediate success.

And as the Mets fought their way back into contention, the storyline surrounding the team began to change. They evolved from a group plagued by early-season challenges into a resilient squad discovering its identity. Stearns’s influence was evident — he fostered a sense of urgency, accountability and purpose within the organization.

Of course, his managerial hire in Carlos Mendoza undoubtedly helped.

But there was a general sense that for the first time in a long time, there was a widespread feeling that the front office truly had a clear direction as momentum began to shift.

As Stearns continues to lead, the Mets are in a position that feels poised for sustained success. The road to this moment was fraught with uncertainty and setbacks, but now it’s clear: Stearns may indeed be the guiding force Cohen envisioned, and the Mets are on a trajectory that could fulfill the lofty ambitions set forth in Cohen’s initial vision.

The Mets are no longer simply chasing a championship; they are positioning themselves to be serious contenders for years to come. With Stearns at the helm, the future looks bright, and the dreams of Mets fans might finally be on the verge of realization.

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