David Stearns Provides Updates on the Mets’ Moves
Stearns’ Press Conference
Updated January 22, 2026, at 4:40 PM
David Stearns spoke with the media on Thursday about the state of the Mets roster and acquiring Freddy Peralta and Tobias Myers.
He referred to Peralta as a pitcher who has established himself as one of the top and most consistent starters in the game. Stearns touched on his relationship with Peralta over the last decade. Stearns traded for him in 2015 and extended him in 2020. Stearns described getting a “front row seat” to his development and described it as “fun to watch”.
He described Myers as a great development story and someone who can impact the team from both the rotation and the bullpen. Myers was acquired by the Brewers in 2023, which was Stearns’ final year with that team. He mentioned how Myers has pitched in big moments and fills up the zone, and how that versatility to move between the bullpen and rotation, as well as his roster flexibility, is a big benefit to the Mets.
Stearns recognized that they parted with some great young players in Brandon Sproat and Jett Williams, but that is part of what happens when you acquire a very good player in return. When asked if Tobias Myers in the deal made it easier moving those two prospects, he stated they would not have given Sproat up “in a deal where there was not a starting pitcher coming back.”
Stearns then took the press through the timeline. The first discussions began in November and the framework of a return changed significantly over that timeline in terms of size and scope. Talks picked up over the last few days and they were able to get it over the line on January 21, 2026. Stearns confirmed that parts of the deal came together during his anniversary dinner with his wife and was finalized when they got back home.
At the start of the offseason, the Mets had many boxes to check. Stearns stated that the Mets are very happy with how the team has shaped up. They feel that the players they retained, including Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor, provide a strong core, the young players will have an impact, and they have been able to grab strong additions to fill the holes in their roster.
He described the offseason as long, and he understands how fans can be upset when they see good players and fan favorites leave the organization at the start of the offseason, but it is up to the front office to recognize how long an offseason is and how there can be a lot of activity in January, February, and March. They understood that there were going to be very good opportunities to make their team better, and he is happy with where the team is now. He said that while they have checked many of the boxes they had going into the season, they will always be opportunistic and that they will keep in touch with both the free agent market and the trade market across the weeks leading into spring training and during spring training.
On “run prevention,” Stearns mentioned that it starts with defense up the middle. They also believe that Bo Bichette and Jorge Polanco, two former shortstops, will be able to play their new positions at a high level.
Stearns described the National League East as a very tough division, and when asked if he felt the Mets were at the top of the division now, he responded, “Until we win a division, we can’t claim we are at the top”. He stated the Mets organization is committed from the top down to continually improve the team and get to that point.
On his view of the rotation, he stated, “We like our rotation.” He mentioned how adding a stabilizing force like Peralta to lead the rotation gives some space to their young pitchers and allows breathing room for bounce-back seasons from Sean Manaea and Kodai Senga. He said he feels that it has a good balance of young players and veterans, and that the AAA rotation is also strong and many of those pitchers will contribute in the majors across the 2026 season. When asked if Peralta is their number one starter, he mentioned how many of their starters have at times pitched as one, including Peralta. Before he joined the team, Senga did, part of 2024 Sean Manaea did, and Nolan McLean showed flashes of potential as a front-line starter in 2025.
Stearns said he would not speculate on the possibility of an extension on day one and will not address that publicly, keeping it private. Right now, he wants Peralta to have the time to get acclimated to the organization and his teammates. He said that at the time of a trade it has to be viewed as receiving the player for the term they are buying, and while there is always the chance to extend, that cannot be assumed.
Interview with Andy Martino
David Stearns sat down with Andy Martino of the New York Mets and discussed the flurry of Mets moves and how they impact the team. He joked about how family members and friends who were not thrilled about the Mets’ offseason are very excited about their recent moves.
He touched on the signing of Bo Bichette and how he lengthens the lineup. He described Bichette as a right-handed batter who takes competitive at-bats and prioritizes winning above all else. He described the process of signing him as not as much a pivot from Kyle Tucker, but one that began with the GM meetings in November and involved dozens of conversations, contract framework discussions, and check-ins. He stated that when they were made aware that Bo was nearing a decision, they were very well equipped to engage.
On Luis Robert Jr., he described him as a player with an incredibly high ceiling that still has the skills that led to his breakout 2023 season, where he slashed .264/.315/.542/.857 with 38 homers and 20 steals. He mentioned how his bat speed and sprint speed are there, and their goal is to help him get to his highest level.
He reiterated that top prospect Carson Benge will have the opportunity to make the club out of camp, and the acquisition of Robert does not change that. He did clarify that this does not mean that Benge will be guaranteed to win a spot, but he will have every chance. They have confidence that Tyrone Taylor is capable if necessary until Benge is ready, and also believe that Brett Baty can be “pretty good out there” defensively. He described Benge as fully capable in either center field or one of the corner outfield spots.
When asked about Mark Vientos, Stearns said that he will have the opportunity to compete for at-bats on the major league roster between designated hitter, first base, and even some third base at-bats. When asked about first base competition with Jorge Polanco Stearns said, “With Polanco he is certainly going to see some first base, we know he has positional versatility as well, he might see some DH at times as well, so a lot of this is fluid and it gives Mendy some different options every single night when he’s writing up the lineup card.”
Stearns mentioned that Kodai Senga is fully expected to be part of the rotation in 2026. He said that Senga has had a strong offseason and came over to the States right around the new year with the Mets staff. They are excited to get him going in spring training.
Finally, they concluded by talking about the Hall of Fame induction of Carlos Beltrán. He discussed how Beltran earned those honors and how the Mets front office is privileged to work with him on a daily basis.
The post David Stearns Provides Updates on the Mets’ Moves appeared first on Metsmerized Online.