A reported surfaced Tuesday night that the Mets were “down the road” with former Brewers President David Stearns to be the team’s next President of Baseball Operations. However, the report notes that the Houston Astros, among other teams, also covet Stearns.
If Steve Cohen and co. do actually pull off hiring Stearns, it’s sure to be a popular hire among fans and those within baseball alike. According to a report from The Athletic’s Will Sammon, several rival executives find Stearns to be an ideal fit in Queens, likening him to the Dodgers hiring Andrew Friedman.
Multiple evaluators agreed with the high praise because they view Stearns the same way they think of Friedman, who established himself as a top executive with the small-budget Tampa Bay Rays before building the Dodgers into a perennial power.
One executive called Stearns a “no-brainer” for the Mets, noting that he is a New York native who can handle the media and is a “very genuine guy.”
David Stearns, Photo by Mike De Sisti
Sammon reports that Stearns, who led the Brewers to four straight playoff appearances from 2018-21, was well-regarded for his ability to make the most out of his roster, from the star players through the bottom of the 40-man.
“‘He brings to the table an ability to understand that the superstars are the superstars, but you have to maximize a 40-man roster and have models in place to be able to hit on some talent that may be more hidden,’ an executive said. “It allows you to stay competitive when injuries happen or things go wrong. To have that depth was always very, very important to him.'”
Additionally, the report notes that Stearns was known for using analysis over emotion when it came to putting together the best club, as evidenced by the Brewers trade of Josh Hader last season when they were in a battle for the NL Central title. “There were no emotions when decisions were being made. It was always, whatever was best for the club at that moment and moving forward,” one executive said.
Sammon also notes that current Mets GM Billy Eppler is expected to remain in the organization in some capacity, and that he and Stearns share a “friendship and mutual respect” which would allow the two to work together to build the roster.
The Mets’ desire for Stearns has been the worst-kept secret in baseball for some time as he really does check all the boxes for what the franchise is looking for out of their next President. If Stearns were to choose the Astros or another team, it would be a significant blow to Steve Cohen’s long-term vision for the organization.
Although the Mets are certain to be active in free agency once again this offseason, it can be argued that there’s no one more important for them to acquire ahead of next season than David Stearns.
