Reese Kaplan -- How Has David Stearns Done Thus Far for 2026?

Well, it’s been an interesting week for Mets fans and media regarding the team, the direction it is taking and the job being done by POBO David Stearns.  To recap this week he acquired free agent Bo Bichette, traded for center fielder Luis Robert, Jr. and traded for starting pitcher Freddy Peralta.  For anyone tuning in at the 11th hour it would seem that the Mets were being decisive, aggressive and successful, not simply waiting until 19 days before Spring Training begins before making necessary moves.

So how has Stearns done thus far?  Let’s have a look at the incoming players:

• Bo Bichette — He has a great bat and a suspect glove.  Everyone applauded his arrival though in theory he’s going to be part of the run prevention defense at a new position of third base.
• Luis Garcia — He’s a 39 year old journeyman with a career ERA over 4.00.  His price tag won’t cripple the franchise but his arrival isn’t cause for celebration either.
• Tobias Myers — Oddly, this relatively little known middle reliever and spot starter could turn out to be a hidden gem.  His ERA as a reliever has been 1.65 overall for his career and he could potentially be that final piece of the pen the club has been missing.
• Freddy Peralta — This deal is somewhat reminiscent of the old Johan Santana deal in that he’s here for just a single year guaranteed.  Yes, there is deep history between he and David Stearns, but the lure of free agency could make him a one and done though at a very reasonable price.
• Jorge Polanco — This contract was a little bit of a head scratcher in that he’s never been a top-of-the-list option for clubs trying to reinforce their run production.  He does have a single All Star appearance back in 2019 and his best season was likely 2021 for the Twins when he clubbed 33 HRs and drove in 98 while hitting .269.  Last year for the Mariners he his 26 dingers and drove in 78 while hitting .266.  For a switch hitter playing key middle infield positions those numbers are pretty good, but with Marcus Semien, Francisco Lindor, now Bo Bichette, Brett Baty, Mark Vientos and Ronny Mauricio already here it left DH and 1B (where he has just a single game of experience) left for him to play for the Mets. 
• Luis Robert, Jr. — He could be the second coming of a true slugger or he could be the latest iteration in the Jose Siri/Cedric Mullins mold barely hitting the Mendoza line while earning big bucks to play strong defense.  We won’t know until the season starts and progresses.
• Marcus Semien — This trade was essentially a salary dump of a longer obligation to pay Brandon Nimmo and receiving in return the two years remaining for Semien while benefiting from his stellar defense and accepting his significantly diminished production at the plate.  He was fighting off injury last year so it’s possible there would be some rebound offense from Semien.
• Luke Weaver — This acquisition on the surface looks pretty good as Weaver after converting to full time reliever appeared to be quite a different beast on the mound than he was as a batting practice pitcher for many years as a starter.  His price was high and the hope is that he can replicate the two strong years in the Bronx.  His ERA in 2024 and 2025 was 3.21 with 175 Ks in 148 IP, a WHIP under 1.000 and a record of 11-7.  Before that, however, he was a 5.14 career ERA pitcher with a losing record and an ugly WHIP of 1.438.  Here’s hoping 2024 and 2025 can be repeated in Queens.
• Devin Williams — A player extremely well known to David Stearns, Williams was among the best in the game in Milwaukee for several years before hitting the wall for the Yankees this past season.  Here’s hoping it was a hiccup in an otherwise sterling record and he can help ease the departure of Edwin Diaz if he returns to his Milwaukee form where he had a career ERA of just 1.83 with a winning record, a WHIP approaching 1.000 and striking out more than 14 per 9 IP.

Then there are the outgoing personnel:

• Luisangel Acuna — A great unknown with strong legs and a solid glove
• Pete Alonso — Perennially among the league leaders in HRs and RBIs while providing at best average defense at first base
• Edwin Diaz — On again/off again solid reliever who when he is at his best is at a Cooperstown level
• Jeff McNeil — Seemingly on a downhill spiral after his batting title several years ago, his positional versatility became a stronger selling point than his stick
• Brandon Nimmo — A somewhat overpaid player whose offensive ascent corresponded with a defensive decline
• Truman Pauley — A great unknown pitcher with only a handful of games on his pro resume
• Brandon Sproat — He’s an erratic pitcher who can be very bad or pretty good.  Now he’s Milwaukee’s development issue
• Jett Williams — This departure hurt.  He can play infield and outfield, steal bases with abandon and get on base regularly while also providing moderate power for a smaller player.  We’ll see how he progresses as he ascends to the majors

Overall, Stearns’ record here is more good than bad but he has a lot of gambles in his decisions.  Sometimes those gambles work such as the 2024 Jose Iglesias.  Sometimes they are the 2025 Frankie Montas.  The work is still not done as there is no left fielder and no clear answer as to the DH/1B situation.