In the world of baseball, it’s not every day you hear about a match made in heaven. But that’s exactly what seems to be unfolding between David Stearns and the New York Mets. After years of speculation, the Mets have finally locked in Stearns as their president of baseball operations, a move that could very well be a game-changer. Let’s break down what makes this guy special, shall we?
Who Is David Stearns?
David Stearns, 38, is a New Yorker through and through. Born and raised in the city, he’s been a lifelong Mets fan, so this is a homecoming of sorts. Before joining the Brewers in 2015, he had worked with the Houston Astros, learning the art of rebuilding a team. And oh, if you care about education, he’s a Harvard grad, too. Talk about being overqualified!
The Brewers Saga: How Stearns Built a Competitive Team on a Budget
Before we dive into how Stearns might reshape the Mets, let’s look at his body of work with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Stearns’ Key Moves in Milwaukee
- Traded for Christian Yelich: Sent Lewis Brinson, Isan Diaz, Monte Harrison, and Jordan Yamamoto to the Marlins.
- Signed Lorenzo Cain: Five-year deal, followed by peak offensive season.
- Trade Genius: Swapped Adam Lind for prospects, including Freddy Peralta, traded Tyler Thornburg for Travis Shaw and others.
- Pitching Development: Stearns oversaw the rise of stellar pitchers like Freddy Peralta, Corbin Burnes, and Brandon Woodruff.
The Brewers weren’t exactly a playoff staple when Stearns took over, they had only made the postseason twice since the wild-card era began. But under Stearns, they became perennial contenders, making four straight postseason appearances from 2018 to 2021.
His most daring move? Probably trading for Christian Yelich from the Miami Marlins, giving up a handful of prospects who, let’s be real, haven’t done much since. Yelich went on to win the NL MVP in 2018 and became a cornerstone of the team.
The Pitching Pipeline
Arguably, Stearns’ biggest achievement with the Brewers was developing young, dominant pitchers. From Freddy Peralta to 2021 Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes, he seemed to have a knack for molding raw talent into consistent performers. This could be crucial for the Mets, who are facing questions about their current and future pitching roster.
What Lies Ahead for Stearns and the Mets
If the Mets’ owner Steve Cohen’s aim is to turn the Mets into a Dodgers-like winning machine, then Stearns could very well be his Andrew Friedman. But what can we expect from him?
Money Matters
One thing’s for sure: Stearns is going to have access to a lot more money with the Mets. The Brewers never splurged on their payroll, but the Mets? They’re swimming in cash, with the highest payroll in MLB history in 2023.
Areas of Focus for Stearns
- Pitching: Will Stearns rely on free-agent signings or continue his pattern of developing young arms?
- Hitting: While Stearns did well finding hitters like Yelich, the Brewers lacked home-grown talent. Will this change in New York?
- Trade Strategy: With young hitting prospects in the system, will Stearns pull off a blockbuster trade?
The Alonso Dilemma
Pete Alonso is the Mets’ fan-favorite slugger, but his future with the team is uncertain. Stearns’ history doesn’t give us a clear picture, but we can guess he will tread carefully. After trading away Josh Hader in 2022, a move he later regretted, it’s likely he’ll be more conservative with Alonso.
Final Thoughts
The Mets have seen frequent changes in leadership, so more than anything, they’re looking for stability and a long-term vision, something Stearns has proven capable of providing. As for Stearns, he faces a wealth of resources but also great expectations. If he can leverage his skills and apply the lessons learned in Milwaukee, Mets fans might finally get the consistent success they’ve been craving.
So, is David Stearns the game-changer the Mets have been waiting for? Only time will tell, but all signs point to a promising future.
