The Day After: Stearns Takes Blame in Media Session
A day after the Mets were eliminated from the playoff race, and a few hours after Steve Cohen issued an apology on X, David Stearns addressed the media at Citi Field. He answered questions for about 30 minutes.
Opening Statement
“Tremendously disappointing season, not nearly good enough. I think we all know that. We came into this year with, deservedly so, very high expectations and we didn’t come close to meeting them. I’m keenly aware of that. I’m the architect of the team. I’m responsible for it. I understand how frustrated our fan base is. I understand how frustrated everyone in this building is … and we got to do better and I’m committed to moving us forward and doing better.”
Carlos Mendoza‘s Future and the Coaches
Stearns committed to bringing back manager Carlos Mendoza, who he said had a “tough year” but is still “a very good manager” who “has all the same traits and assets (he did) … when we hired him two years ago.” New York went 83-79 in Mendoza’s second year at the helm, winning six fewer games than a year ago. In 2024, of course, the Mets also made the playoffs and came within two wins of reaching their first World Series since 2015.
Stearns wouldn’t say anyone on Mendoza’s coaching staff was safe. He said they all will be evaluated soon.
Free Agent Pete Alonso
The first baseman hit .272/.347/.524 with 38 home runs, 126 RBIs and an NL-leading 41 doubles. He played in 162 games for the second straight year and set the franchise home run record. He said Sunday that he will opt out of his contract, making him a free agent for the second year in a row. He turns 31 in December.
“Pete is a great Met. He had a fantastic year. I said this last year and it worked out. I’d love to have Pete back and we will see where the offseason goes.”
Senga lost virtually all of 2024 to injury, but this season was off to a great start until he strained his right hamstring covering first base on June 12. His ERA was 1.47 when he got hurt. Senga returned to action in July, but his ERA was 5.25 in 12 innings pitched that month and 6.18 in 27 2/3 innings pitched in August. He accepted a demotion to Triple-A and never made it back to the major-league roster.
“Kodai’s had two very inconsistent, challenging years in a row. We know it’s in there. We know there’s potential. We are going to do everything we can to help get it out of him. Can we put it in ink as (him) making 30 starts next year? I think that would be foolish.”
The 31-year-old closer can opt out of his contract. He converted 28 of 31 saves this year and struck out 98 in 66 1/3 innings while going 6-3 and pitching to a 1.63 ERA. “I think rather than speculating on what Edwin might do, I think we’ll let him make that decision and then I can comment.”
Manaea and Peterson
An oblique injury sidelined Sean Manaea until July and Stearns said that his “season just never got going.” Manaea went 2-4 with a 5.64 ERA in 60 2/3 innings pitched one year after going 12-6 with a 3.47 ERA. The Mets re-signed the 33-year-old to a three-year, $75 million contract last offseason.
David Peterson made the All-Star team for the first time after a brilliant first half, but “then there probably was fatigue,” Stearns said. Peterson’s ERA was 3.06 at the break, but ballooned to 4.22 by the end of the season. He threw a career-high 168 2/3 innings, eclipsing his previous career mark by 47 2/3 innings.
Where Did Things Go Wrong?
Stearns said the “defense wasn’t good enough and that certainly contributed to our pitching challenges.” He blamed himself for not being “more proactive” in adding depth when the team was hit with injuries.
Only Francisco Lindor posted an OAA (outs above average) above five at five. Brett Baty, Luisangel Acuña, Jeff McNeil, Tyrone Taylor and Ronny Mauricio join Lindor as the only players in 2025 to post a positive OAA. As a team, the Mets ranked 31st in OAA (-15), while the Cardinals ranked first (36) and Angels ranked last (-52).
“We don’t get re-dos. We don’t get do overs in this business, but clearly the moves we made the trade deadline, or at least a subset of those moves, didn’t work and in certain cases made us worse and didn’t help us down the stretch.”
Deadline acquistions included RHP Ryan Helsley, RHP Tyler Rogers, LHP Gregory Soto and OF Cedric Mullins. Helseley posted a 7.20 ERA in just 20 innings with the Mets, while Soto pitched to a 4.50 ERA in 25 games with New York. Rogers was the standout of the trio, hurling a 2.30 ERA in 28 games. Mullins meanwhile put up a grim .182/.284/.281 (.565 OPS) line in his 42 games with the Mets, hitting just two homers and plus three outs above average in center field.
Was There a Lack of Leadership?
“I think we have leaders in our clubhouse. I think we have leadership in our clubhouse. I do not think that was a problem. I come at this of like we need to create a better roster that fits together better.”
Will the Mets Go After an Ace?
“We’re not going to take anything off the table this offseason.”
Stearns noted Nolan McLean, Brandon Sproat and Jonah Tong would all make and impact on the 2026 roster. As of now, Sean Manaea, Kodai Senga, Clay Holmes and David Peterson return as the veteran arms. RHP Tylor Megill recently underwent Tommy John surgery.
Big Picture
“We have very good to elite core players, who at times have played at a very high level and a year ago had a very good season together. I think the ceiling remains high.”
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