Remember how hard it was for the New York Mets to find someone to run their front office way back in October and November? Part of it was because owner Steve Cohen and friends were shooting for the stars for some of the game’s most well-known executives, a tactic they tried — and were unsuccessful in executing — two offseasons in a row.
While Billy Eppler has done a good job in his short time as the organization’s general manager, there are still whispers that the Mets are interested in Milwaukee Brewers executive and New York native, David Stearns. At the time when the Amazins were looking for people to speak with about their open front-office jobs, they were denied permission by Milwaukee to even talk with him.
We had heard the Brewers held an option on Stearns for the 2023 season, but we were unsure as to what the details were. Andy Martino of SNY has secured some of those details via sources. One of Martino’s sources is said to have direct knowledge of Stearns’ contract. Apparently, if the Brewers win the National League pennant and advance to the World Series, he can become a free agent following the 2022 season. If the Brewers fall short of the Fall Classic, he’ll stay under contract with Milwaukee for 2023.
Obviously, that makes the odds of Stearns hypothetically joining the Mets’ front office with his longtime friend in Eppler pretty long. But, the Brewers are a good club, so there is a chance it actually happens. Milwaukee went 95-67 in 2021, capturing its second NL Central title since 2018, and while they were bounced from the NLDS, it was the fourth straight year they reached the postseason.
According to ZiPS’ current standings projections, the Brewers are projected for an 88-74 record and to finish second behind the St. Louis Cardinals. This system pegs them with 57.7% odds of reaching the playoffs and 5.5% odds of winning the World Series. And, for what it’s worth, those odds are right behind the Mets, who currently own 58.7% odds of reaching the postseason and 5.6% odds of winning it all.
