The New York Mets just lost two core players to free agency, and the fan base isn’t happy. They’re used to owner Steve Cohen signing stars and winning the battle of the tabloids, but this offseason things are different.
The media focus in outlets like ESPN and The Athletic is on the loss of former closer Edwin Diaz and first baseman Pete Alonso, who signed new deals with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles, respectively. But GM David Stearns doesn’t seem all that concerned about the media reaction, which is probably a good sign for the product on the field next season.
Stearns is focused on remaking the roster. He knows a lot more about what caused the Mets’ second-half collapse than anyone in the media, and at this point it’s hard to avoid the conclusion that the Mets had too many big-money stars and some bad clubhouse chemistry. The Mets played a lot of bad fundamental baseball in the second half of the season, and the CM is clearly intent on changing that.
We still don’t know what the final product will look like, but there are a couple of initial conclusions to be drawn. The infield defense will be better with Marcus Semien at second base and Alonso playing first for the Orioles, and the closer spot will be cheaper and less flamboyant with reliever Devin Williams subbing in for Diaz.
It’s important not to judge Stearns until he remakes the pitching staff. That’s where the Mets action will be in the coming months, because it has to be. The Mets have promising young starters coming up who will be part of the rotation, but they also need to be better protected by veteran hurlers who can stay healthy and perform.
It seems unlikely that Stearns will make a big deal for an ace, although pitcher Freddy Peralta of the Milwaukee Brewers seems like a possibility given the GM’s past experience in Milwaukee. There are also plenty of bullpen arms to be added, especially given the reliever roulette the Mets were forced to play down the stretch this year.
A lot of GMs consider the winter meetings to be their star turn—A.J. Preller, anyone?—but that’s not Stearns basic m.o. He refused to address the specifics of the closer negotiations, and he seems to have a step-by-step plan that has little or nothing to do with media impatience. Some of the criticism he’s taking is justified, but it’s really too soon to condemn the Mets GM across the board right now.