David Stearns’ Leadership Put Under Scanner as Mets Near Worst Collapse in Franchise History

Stearns, however, has made it clear he still believes in Carlos Mendoza’s leadership. Joel Sherman noted that when he asked about Mendoza’s job security, Stearns insisted the first-year manager was “doing a very good job.” That endorsement suggests Cohen is aligned with his baseball chief at least for now. But Sherman raised an uncomfortable question about the rest of the staff. Pitching coach Jeremy Hefner and hitting coach Eric Chavez could be under heavier scrutiny if the Mets fail to make the playoffs, or even if they sneak in only to get swept in the Wild Card round. Sherman added, “There’s gotta be some reassessment about how things went this bad for this long.

Steve Cohen has invested over $340 million into payroll this season, and his tolerance for being average is famously low. The organisation is expected to face serious evaluation regarding their pitching development, defensive planning, and late-game strategies. Amid this, fans aren’t just asking for October baseball; they’re asking for accountability.

The current situation presents more than roster-building challenges to Stearns as it requires him to demonstrate trust in his decisions. Whether New York sneaks into the wild-card round or misses October entirely, this season will force a hard look at franchise choices. Because if this team truly is “bad,” as Sherman said, then it can’t just be blamed on bad luck; it’s bad planning.

David Stearns reflects on past decisions, choosing development over big trades

The Mets’ rollercoaster season has forced the front office to question all its initial plans. A season that started with hope and energy quickly evolved into a mix of injuries, unexpected slumps, and lost opportunities. David Stearns didn’t shy away from his choices. “If I had known how our season would develop, I absolutely would have made different decisions,” he said. His tone connected directly to the fans who have seen all the ups and downs in their performance. He was clear. All the trades and additions this season weren’t a mistake. They were carefully considered decisions. They simply didn’t deliver the results the team needed in August and September.

Stearns also believes in giving the team’s young talent a real chance to shine. Instead of chasing flashy high-profile names at the deadline, the Mets made a conscious decision to secure promising prospects. Nolan McLean, Jonah Tong, and Brandon Sproat. When injuries weakened the rotation, these players were called in August. They didn’t just fill spots; they made an impact. McLean has particularly stepped up as the team’s leading starter, showing that sometimes the real magic comes from within.

Stearns also opened up about why the team didn’t swing for bigger names. “We were in talks for players with more control, but the price was very high,” he explained. The front office intentionally kept those prospects who could add value in the short term, focusing on sustainable growth instead of taking risky chances. “I don’t see this as windows. Our responsibility is to compete every year for the playoffs and the title.” Stearns said.