Reese Kaplan -- A Rocky Start But a Strong David Stearns Addition

As a child growing up watching the Mets and listening to somewhat obscure music I became a huge fan of the late Harry Chapin who was known to many for his two hit songs, "Taxi" and "Cat's in the Cradle", but that's about as far as most would go.  He was a unique performer whose story songs would paint a word picture musically and as such achieved a much stronger impact than the usual popular stuff hitting the airwaves.  

He had one tune that kept running through my head whenever I saw press conferences with Sandy Alderson entitled, "Dance Band on the Titanic" and today it finally clicked about the connection.  As you suspect the song profiles doing all the right things while the ship is indeed capsizing.  Wow, that nailed the Alderson era, but to be fair his team owners during the Wilpon years were the cause of it.

On October 2nd the Mets finally officially annouced what everyone in the media and fanbase assumed was happening.  David Stearns made his way from NY Mets intern to stalwart and savvy baseball executive in Milwaukee whose small town success leading an organization will hopefully translate onto the biggest stage of all as he joins Steve Cohen in righting the apparently sinking ship.  

Many questions were asked about when each side became aware of one another and how long it had taken to get things done.  Both men did a commendable job of skirting around the issue but more than once Steve Cohen said he hadn't met Stearns until mid August and apparently in the time between then and the end of the season they came upon a deal both found equitable.

Of course, like slipping on a banana peel, embarrassing moments happen to everyone and the Buck Showalter cessation was certainly one of them.  Steve Cohen during the Stearns press conference pointed out that he had a very short window between the season's end and the postseason beginning to bring in David Stearns and make a managerial change.  

While Stearns was indeed a breath of fresh air in the media gathering, he seemed to find that banana peel once again when he confessed that while he was unable to talk to Buck Showalter while a member of the Brewers organization, he indeed reached out to him now and that he hopes the "will be able to connect."  

That's a major F-U from Showalter to Stearns and somewhat understandable.  After all, when given the choice by Billy Eppler to resign or be fired, Showalter was adamant that he would never quit on his team and thus forced the Mets' hand.  If the new boss of your old team wanted to shake hands and say happy things, well, that's just not going to be high on anyone's to do list.

Much like when (ironically) Buck Showalter was brought into the fold, this transactional move to secure Stearns was greeted with universal acclaim.  Cohen spoke about talking to various people within baseball while doing his due diligence and they all came back with a "hire this guy" response.  He reiterated that you can't really get to know a person, how they communicate, what values they possess and whether or not his goals mirror your own until you meet.  

Stearns took the same type of question in stride and said that even after talking at length to Steve Cohen you have to understand that "until you have a deal you don't have a deal."  He said that the opportunity to work in a bigger market with a more sizable budget and being able to return to his home in New York would enable him to spend more time with his family.  

Perhaps the most interesting thing Stearns said was that there were no shortcuts nor secret sauce he could use to guarantee Mets success.  That level of candor was a refreshing change instead of the more conventional, "We're in it to win it" and "This year is our year" platitudes spouted by most people atop a sports organization.  

Another theme that was recurring from Stearns was "sustainable success."  He reiterated that while it would be good to have the capital to do things differently than had been done for the Brewers, that didn't necessarily mean you sell off your future if indeed you want more than a single competitive year.  That philosophy about preserving the most highly regarded prospects was consistent with what Eppler had said earlier in the season about plans for the future and should make some Mets followers feel a little more reassured.  Of course, how it makes veteran underperformers feel is another matter entirely.

The question of Pete Alonso naturally arose and Stearns said all of the right things.  He espoused Alonso being an integral piece based upon his talent, being homegrown and good in the clubhouse (which counters the toxic fit rumors heard at the midseason trade deadline).  He said he expects Pete Alonso to be the opening day first baseman, but to use his own words once again, it's not really a deal until a deal is made.  Here Stearns who has not yet even met the majority of people associated with the club was as candid as he could be but there obviously is something to be said for getting to know Alonso and his agent.

Regarding the Craig Counsell question, neither Cohen nor Stearns could address it directly since he is still a member of the Brewers and heading into the postseason.  Stearns did suggest that a good manager is a partnership that involves managing people and personalities as well as imparting and facilitating organizational culture.  He reiterated the idea of a formal process involving everyone from veteran skippers to newcomers though many probably feel it's what needs to be said rather than the actual truth.  How newcomers Eric Chavez and Carlos Beltran feel about their chances would most likely be the proverbial snowball's chance in hell.

Steve Cohen purported not to have had serious discussions with anyone else.  Stearns said he looks forward to having more resources but not to let anyone confuse correlation with causation which I interpreted to mean you can't automatically spend your way to a championship.  That's a true but less than tactful thing to say to your new boss.

Aside from tap dancing around the Showalter and Counsell issues, the overall introduction of Stearns was a success.  No one seemed put off by Cohen's hiring decision and the media seemed to be on alert not to harp on the abrupt termination of the current manager.  There's a ton of work that needs to be done and to echo Stearns, he has really just the next 3-4 weeks of the postseason to get up to speed until the World Series ends when actual deals can start to take place.  Good luck to you.  You're gonna need it.