The New York Mets have hired David Stearns to lead their front office, a move that was long rumored but has now become the reality in Queens. New York's disappointing 2023 season only hightlighted the need for a fresh approach, and the 38-year-old Stearns can bring just that.
Stearns took a year off after parting ways with the Milwaukee Brewers, where he led one of the smallest markets in the sport to the postseason on multiple occasions. Stearns gained a reputation for bold decisions in the process, and proved he could perform under pressure without the resources some organizations offer.
Now with Steve Cohen as his boss, Stearns should have no problem chasing the free agents and trade assets of his dreams. He also has the background to build from within, and add to the Mets farm system. Stearns has consistently drafted well, adding some of the best prospects in baseball to the Brewers system. Cohen will expect him to do the same in Queens.
With Stearns leading the charge starting this offseason, could he bring some of his old friends with him?
MLB Rumors: Could the Mets hire Craig Counsell?
There's no guarantee Craig Counsell returns to Milwaukee at the end of this season, as his contract is up. Stearns could pull a shocker and chase his former skipper, as Counsell has postseason experience leading a younger team, which the Mets currently are.
Ken Rosenthal previously considered the Mets as a possible landing spot for Counsell, and for good reason. As Rosenthal notes, Counsell's track record speaks for itself:
"Counsell, 53, took over as Brewers manager on May 4, 2015. The team set a franchise record by reaching the postseason four straight years from 2018 to '21, then missed by one game last season. As September begins, it stands a 97 percent chance of making the playoffs and 79 percent chance of winning the NL Central, which it leads by three games with 29 to play."
If it's money Counsell wants, the Mets can offer plenty of it. If familiarity is in play, well they just hired Stearns. If it's a fresh start, where better than New York?
It would be unwise for Milwaukee to let Counsell leave, but it may not fully be up to them. New York has plenty to offer in a young core led by Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor. It's enticing.
MLB Rumors: Could the Mets trade for Willy Adames?
Willy Adames is having a down year by his standards, but even subpar production from this shortstop is good enough for a 30-home run pace. In the era of sink or swim, Adames is just the latest example of a player who provides plenty of pop, defense, and base-running ability, but struggles to get on base at a consistent clip.
Still, Adames was in search of a new contract last offseason right as Stearns left. He plays shortstop, meaning he would have to switch positions upon joining the Mets -- that's Lindor's spot in the infield. Stearns traded for Adames in the first place when he was with the Tampa Bay Rays. At the time of the trade, Adames was hitting under the Mendoza line, but quickly turned things around to slash .285/.366/.521 with 20 home runs in 99 games with the Brewers in 2021. Just a year later, he hit 30 home runs, and should do so again this season.
Adames wants a new deal, but it's not Stearns fault it wasn't given. Milwaukee is a smaller market, forced to do more with less resources. Stearns never got the play from ownership to extend Adames, which is largely why he's scheduled to be a free agent after the 2024 season. If Cohen agrees to pay up, the infielder becomes an intriguing trade target for a lineup that could use some pop beyond Alonso.
MLB Rumors: Could Mets trade for Corbin Burnes?
Corbin Burnes is a former NL Cy Young winner, but much like Adames, he has yet to receive his first big payday thanks to the arbitration system in baseball. The Mets signed two big-name pitchers in Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer the last two offseasons, but traded both away at the deadline. If New York prefers a younger, fresher approach, they should make a play for Burnes, who still has a year left on his contract. An extension could be agreed upon shortly after said deal.
Burnes expressed plenty of anger at Brewers ownership after Stearns left, as the arbitration process did not play out well.
"There's no denying that the relationship was definitely hurt from what (transpired) over the last couple weeks. There's really no way to get around that," Burnes said at the time. "When some of the things that are said … they basically put me in the forefront of the reason why we didn't make the postseason last year. That's something that probably didn't need to be said."
At the time of the hearing, FanSided's Robert Murray wrote a piece suggesting Milwaukee made a mistake in their handling of Burnes situation.
"Going to an arbitration hearing, and ripping the best young pitcher in baseball to his face, over less than $750,000 is not worth it. Sure, it saved the Brewers money now. It saved them money in the future, too...Burnes intends to move forward and put the ruling behind him. The Brewers have, too, issuing a statement on what the right-hander means to the organization. But the potential long-term ramifications of damaging their relationship was not worth saving less than $750,000."
Those long-term ramifications could come to a head this offseason, should Burnes want out. Expect the Mets to be front and center if that comes to pass.
