Mets president shares bold claim for 2024 MLB season

New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns insists the team isn't punting on the upcoming MLB campaign amid what Dan Martin of the New York Post referred to earlier this month as an "underwhelming offseason" for the organization. 

"We should be competing for a playoff spot," Stearns told SNY MLB insider Andy Martino (h/t Danny Abriano) during the latest edition of the "Mets Hot Stove" program. "We should be building a team that has the ability to make the playoffs. And that's certainly the expectation for our team. I believe we'll be able to meet that expectation. And we should have exciting baseball in September and October for our fans to be proud of."

The 2023 Mets failed to live up to expectations throughout the spring and summer months before team owner Steve Cohen signed off on a pre-trade deadline fire sale that included acquiring prospects for co-aces Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer. New York then missed out on signing two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani and Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto in free agency, and it's repeatedly been rumored the club could shop popular All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso before or during the 2024 season. 

"There are going to be times where we're going to make big splashes," Stearns explained. "Steve has certainly proved that as an owner he's very capable and willing to do that. And there will be times in the future where we're very capable and willing to do that. And to this point this offseason, we've taken a slightly different route, but I think it's one that sets us up well."

Will Sammon and Tim Britton of The Athletic reported last week that individuals within the Mets aren't "pessimistic" about 2024 and "think they’re competitive for a postseason spot" as soon as this year. As of late Wednesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Mets' over/under wins number for this coming season at 82.5. 

"...My job is not necessarily to win headlines or win the offseason," Stearns added. "My job is to win baseball games and to put teams together that can win consistently. Every move we make, that's what we're trying to do."

Mets insider Anthony DiComo of the MLB website revealed on Tuesday he believes the club will hold onto Alonso until the 29-year-old reaches free agency after the season. Such a story indicates Stearns is serious about the Mets being in the playoff hunt through and beyond August regardless of what critics think about the team's offseason.