Mets legend defends David Stearns over controversial offseason moves

New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns previously admitted that he could understand pockets of supporters were frustrated that the club moved on from fan-favorites such as first baseman Pete Alonso, outfielder Brandon Nimmo, star closer Edwin Diaz and utility man Jeff McNeil after the club suffered an in-season collapse and missed the playoffs last year. 

While speaking with reporters on Monday, Mets legend Darryl Strawberry praised Stearns for the way the executive reshaped the roster. 

Darryl Strawberry trusts David Stearns can turn Mets into a winner

"He knows baseball," Strawberry said about Stearns, per Laura Albanese of Newsday. "A lot of people discredit what he’s done with this team, but he’s got a lot of players that can play. Are some of them out of position right now? Yeah. Are they going to learn new things? Yeah. It’s baseball, but they’re baseball players. They’ll figure it out. Are there going to be some ups and downs? Of course there is…What they’ve done is that they’ve gotten themselves more contact hitters and more guys that can put the ball in play."

Strawberry was referencing how Bo Bichette is the Mets' new third baseman, while Jorge Polanco is on track to replace Alonso at first base for the club. Additionally, Stearns acquired second baseman Marcus Semien, center fielder Luis Robert Jr., ace right-hander Freddy Peralta and relief pitchers Devin Williams and Luke Weaver as part of the Mets' roster restructuring. 

Despite the efforts of big-spending team owner Steve Cohen, the Mets have failed to make a single World Series appearance since he assumed ownership of the franchise in the fall of 2020. In Semien, Stearns landed a 2023 World Series champion who is widely respected as a clubhouse leader.

Does Darryl Strawberry think Mets needed new clubhouse leadership?

"Leadership is your everyday players that go out there and know how to play the game," Strawberry added during his comments. "I’m not saying they didn’t have that the last couple of years, but they just fell apart, because you're too good not to be able to win the division. It’s always [Atlanta] or the Phillies, and it’s like, where are the Mets?"

Rumors about alleged clubhouse issues hovered over the Mets multiple times over the past few years. Stearns may not say it out loud, but his actions indicate he hopes that his dismantling of what was the core of the club's roster will eliminate such potential problems.