New York Mets fans got to hear from the president of baseball operations David Stearns on two occasions on Wednesday. Stearns introduced free agent signees Luis Severino and Harrison Bader on a Zoom call (our own Mojo Hill has all the tweets for you), and he talked to Joel Sherman of the New York Post on his podcast.
Bullpen Help Looks Like Current Focus
“We are looking at the pen,” Stearns said. “That’s not going to be a surprise to anyone. Finding ways to solidify our bullpen makes some sense. We can do that in a variety of different ways.”
The Mets been recently linked to lefties Wandy Peralta and Brent Suter (Suter signed with Reds as I was writing this) and right-handed John Brebbia. Most of the top arms of the 2023-2024 offseason are still available, too, with high-leverage pitchers like Jordan Hicks, Josh Hader, and David Robertson.
Stearns has been active on the bullpen this offseason in terms of adding quantity from the free agent market. He’s started by building bullpens the same way most good teams do, recognizing certain traits that make relievers successful, and getting a ton of those pieces on the minor league/cheap major league deals, and hoping a couple works out. Arms added to the 40-man roster include Austin Adams, Jorge López, Yohan Ramirez, and Michael Tonkin.
Adding Bat Non-Essential This Offseason
Maybe the most surprising thing that Stearns said on Wednesday were his thoughts on the potential of adding a bat this offseason, as the Mets have been tied to designated hitter options Justin Turner and J.D. Martinez.
“We’re going to see what becomes available. I wouldn’t necessarily close the door on that,” Stearns said. “I also don’t think it’s essential.”
The Mets have dealt with productivity issues from the DH spot for several years, and they would likely enter the season currently with DJ Stewart and Mark Vientos as their top option for that role.
Young Players Will Get A Chance
Brett Baty at third base? Vientos at DH? Christian Scott in the rotation in the second half? Nate Lavender and/or Paul Gervase in the bullpen? One or more from the trio of Jett Williams, Drew Gilbert, and Luisangel Acuña at some point during the season in the outfield?
It could be the players I’ve mentioned or maybe someone else from the Mets’ top 75 prospects, but it’s pretty clear that Steve Cohen and Stearns know that developing young talent is going to be a key to long-term contending.
“We have to provide young, talented players with opportunity at the major-league level,” Stearns said. “And I believe over time, as you do that as an organization, you’re rewarded for it, and you get really quality players who can contribute to your organization for a long time coming through your system. So I’m excited to see what our younger players can do.”
“I think one thing we’re really excited about and want to see play out is how some of our pitching prospects at Double-A and Triple-A continue to develop. And we’re at a spot with our organization where we have to give young players chances,” Stearns said. “I think we’re going to see some of our younger pitchers make their way to the big leagues and we will be a lot more informed about them a year from now.”
The Mets top four pitching prospects –Christian Scott, Mike Vasil, Dominic Hamel, and Balde Tidwell– all made starts in Double-A last year and Vasil finished the season in Triple-A.
Mets Will Contend in 2024
One of the big discussion points among Mets fans this offseason is what exactly the goal for the 2024 season is. Are they contending, resetting, punting? A lot of different adjectives have been used. Stearns is very clear.
“We’re putting together a team that we expect to compete for a playoff spot. That’s what I expressed in my opening press conference; it’s what I believe we are doing, and it remains our goal,” Stearns said. “We are going to go into every single year with the expectations of competing for and being in the playoffs. We are not going into any season with anything less than that, and so that is certainly where we are right now.”
Where Will Alonso Play in 2025?
Stearns made it crystal clear early in his Mets tenure that Pete Alonso was going to be there on Opening Day at first base for the Mets. That hasn’t changed, but the question remains whether the Mets and Alonso can agree on an extension before the season, during the season, or could be traded if the Mets fall out of contention, or will he simply leave during free agency after the year?
He’s one of the best power hitters in baseball, and we are really fortunate to have him. He’s a homegrown player. He cares about our organization, and clearly, the fanbase & our organization cares about him. We’d love to keep that going for a long time.”
