ESPN baseball reporter Jorge Castillo takes us on a journey through the baseball world. From covering the Washington Wizards and Nationals to now focusing on the Los Angeles Dodgers and MLB. In this article, we'll explore the latest developments in the Mets' baseball operations with David Stearns at the helm.

Unraveling the Mets' Baseball Future with Stearns

David Stearns' Background in Baseball

Jorge Castillo begins by highlighting David Stearns' extensive experience in baseball. He covered the Washington Wizards from 2014 to 2016 and the Washington Nationals from 2016 to 2018 for The Washington Post. This background has equipped him with valuable insights into the game. After that, he moved on to cover the Los Angeles Dodgers and MLB for the Los Angeles Times from 2018 to 2024. This diverse experience has given him a unique perspective on the sport.

The Juan Soto Contract Buzz and Its Impact

While the baseball world was buzzing about Juan Soto's record-breaking contract with the New York Mets, David Stearns chose not to comment on it as the transaction was not official. This shows his cautious approach and the importance of waiting for things to be finalized. It also highlights the significance of such contracts in the baseball world and how they can shape the future of teams.

Pete Alonso: A Beloved Met with Changing Dynamics

Pete Alonso is a beloved, homegrown fan favorite. He has ascended from a second-round pick in 2016 to a four-time All-Star with 216 home runs since his debut in 2019. His performance has been remarkable, saving the Mets' season with a dramatic home run in the National League Wild Card Series. However, he is now a 30-year-old first baseman who isn't a plus defender or runner, and his offensive production has regressed in the past three years. David Stearns expressed the Mets' desire to bring him back, stating that "Pete's been a great Met. He had some enormous hits for us, and we'll see where that goes." This shows the complexity of the situation and the challenges faced by teams when it comes to managing veteran players.

Offseason Moves and Future Plans

So far this offseason, the Mets have lost right-hander Luis Severino in free agency to the A's and acquired outfielder Jose Siri. They also signed right-handers Frankie Montas and Clay Holmes for the starting rotation. David Stearns said there is "room" to add another starting pitcher but doesn't believe it's a necessity. Left-handers Sean Manaea and Jose Quintana, key contributors in 2024, remain free agents. Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, Jack Flaherty, and Walker Buehler are among the other veteran free agent starters. Japanese star Roki Sasaki was officially posted to MLB teams Monday and will be available to sign as a free agent beginning Tuesday. Besides Montas and Holmes, the Mets have David Peterson, Tylor Megill, Paul Blackburn, and Jose Butto as rotation options. The potential move of Mark Vientos from third base to first base if Alonso doesn't re-sign is also a theoretical possibility, but Stearns views Vientos as a third baseman. This shows the various moves and decisions that teams have to make during the offseason to improve their teams.