David Stearns on the field in Milwaukee before a game in 2022.
Syndication: USA TODAY
(Queens, NY) – It’s been an absolute struggle of a season for the New York Mets. There’s been injuries, and poor offense. Lots of walks, and very few clutch hits. Lately the bullpen has shown a penchant for blowing leads. Oh, and ace Kodai Senga – hurt during spring training – may not be back until after the All-Star break.
The team entered play on Tuesday a whopping eight games under .500 – but other than that, things are great!
Mets team president David Stearns spoke to the media and admitted he’s not burying his head in the sand as to how bad the team has been. But he thinks there’s a light at the end of the tunnel – perhaps even this season.
“We haven’t played like a playoff team. And I think that’s just the reality of how we’ve played here through the first 50 games,” Stearns flatly admitted. But he’s not giving up on the remaining 100+ games.
“That doesn’t mean we won’t, but we’ve got to show it. I think we have a group of players that is very committed to that goal that is determined to play better. But until we show it, it’s a reasonable question.”
Last week while the Mets sputtered in Philadelphia, Stearns joined the SNY booth and disclosed the team’s front office was in “information-gathering mode,” while looking ahead to the July 30 trade deadline. Still, he said – at that time – he felt the Mets resembled a playoff club.
There are certainly some Mets who figure to be trade candidates sooner rather than later. Sean Manaea, Luis Severino, Harrison Bader, and J.D. Martinez are all options for future trades given their age and contract. Stearns figures there’s time to assess the market – and see if the team can somehow turn it around in improbable fashion.
“I think the baseball calendar provides the roadmap for that. Generally the trade deadline becomes an inflection point in the season, and we’ve got plenty of time before that.”
And Stearns is likely referring to the fact there are now three wild card slots. As evidence of that, as horrific as the Mets level of play has been – they’re currently 4.5 games out of the third WC slot.
