FLUSHING, NY — The Mets are playing better baseball, perhaps roster moves at MLB’s August 3rd trade deadline was a defining answer to the misery seen this season at Citi Field. It’s been a better brand of baseball but not the plan president of baseball operations David Stearns had envisioned.
With three weeks remaining on the schedule, the Mets are playing inspiring baseball. On Friday night vs. the Giants, they hit five home runs, one short of tying a Citi Field record, as Norman McLean had his fifth straight quality start.
And as the Mets (64, 77, 5th in division) won 10-6 to open the weekend against San Francisco (58-84, 4th division), two teams sitting at the bottom of the NL East and West, they each continue to play out the string and look more at what could be ahead if there is a season in 2027.
Stearns has work to do, he said in a press conference Friday with the media that it will begin when the season concludes three weeks from Sunday in Washington D.C. vs. the Nationals. His answers were more concise with some optimism about the impending plan. Then again, New Yorkers have heard this theme often.
“To some extent, it’s good to see that we are competing against really good teams, some of the best teams in the league,” Stearns said. “It’s also where we should be. That’s what we expect of ourselves.”
David Stearns, Steve Cohen and the Mets will once again have a busy offseason ahead with a potential lockout in MLB looming as owners and players attempt to negotiate a new CBA – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
But they are not where they should be, postseason bound. And a resurgence of winning and creeping towards 10 games under .500, currently 13 under now at 64-77, has led to optimism.
And surely Stearns, who constructed a Mets roster that was depleted with departures at the trade deadline, was the disappointed executive at the podium. His trades and free agent acquisitions have amounted to failure, Bo Bichette though with a strong second half has leverage on his side with player-options after 2026 & 2027. Stearns said he hasn’t had conversations with Bichette regarding his end-of-season plans.
Bo Bichette has two player options in his three-year/$126 million contract with the Mets, one after the 2026 season and another following 2027 – Image Credit: Francisco Rodriguez/Latino Sports
And with an impending lockout between players and owners as the current collective bargaining agreement expires December 1st, there would have to be movement prior to a shutdown of the game.
However it’s more than Bichette, Stearns addressed various questions. His answers provide more clarity about hiring a general manager, interim manager Andy Green, Francisco Lindor, and Juan Soto who will receive his 2025 National League LatinoMVP Award Saturday afternoon at Citi Field.
Latino Sports will be presenting Juan Soto with the 2025 National League LatinoMVP Award, his third career LatinoMVP, prior to Saturday’s Giants-Mets matchup in Queens – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
On Lindor, who has had an unordinary season on the diamond, hitting his 16th home run in the sixth inning Friday, Stearns said: “Certainly, a few more mistakes that we’re accustomed to seeing. I think a lot of the underlying stuff is still pretty good and uncharacteristically he just hasn’t completed some of the plays that he normally completes.”
Routine ground balls and defensive miscues from Lindor, missing significant time with a left calf strain was who and what Stearns was referring to. A glitch for the Mets’ offense and infield that contributed to their miserable start and continued until this recent resurgence—winning 16 of their last 27 games.
A high ranking MLB executive informed me when asked about Lindor: “Remember baseball is mental and he fell into that trap.” Errors this season for the All-Star add up to 10 which is uncharacteristic.
Although the multiple-time LatinoMVP Award winner has 16 home runs in 84 games this year, Francisco Lindor’s 2026 season was not the one he expected, missing 57 games due to injuries – Image Credit: Maz Adams/Latino Sports
About Soto and returning for the final month of the season after missing 31 games with a left calf strain, Stearns said: “Anytime you are stepping on the field, games are important and win and losses are important. That’s what Juan’s presence means.”
Important to know the fulfillment of a potent Mets lineup is keeping Lindor and Soto on the field at the same time, that has been rare and Stearns emphasized it’s important for both to remain healthy.
Stearns said about current closer Kodai Senga: “He’s done a great job, a great example for his new teammates, for the organization as a whole.” In his last seven games out of the bullpen, while taking the role of injured Devin Williams, Senga’s allowed two earned runs on five hits and four walks across 6.1 innings with five strikeouts.
Kodai Senga, recently transitioning from a starting pitcher to a reliever, is 5-for-5 in save opportunities with a 1.54 ERA in 12 games – Image Credit: George Napolitano/Latino Sports
He admitted the free agent signing of Jorge Polanco and defense at 1B going into next year is undetermined, stating, “Clearly it did not work out the way we anticipated this year.”
This was the David Stearns fans wanted to hear, talking about the mistakes and improvements that will come. Most importantly, who will be the manager? The interim Green is expected to remove himself from consideration and return to the front office with talk that Stearns could anoint him as the franchise’s GM.
Green has been content and comfortable in his interim role, with a front row seat to watch the progression of A.J. Ewing and Carson Benge as well as McLean who is in the running for NL Rookie of the Year honors.
“The thing about him that I have always appreciated is he can outdo himself into some nasty jams and then he finds a ridiculous amount of confidence to work his way out of it,” Green said of McLean, recounting a double play that ended the fifth after allowing three straight Giants to reach base.
But Green, also speaking to the media, was expressing his desire to move back up in the front office in that executive role, progressing young talent in the Mets’ minor league system.
“Andy has done a very good job in the dugout. I think we will get to the point to fully describe what we seek in a new manager. Today is not that day,” Stearns said. “We are always going to look to see if there are ways we can improve our organization in any way, that’s inclusive of the front office.”
David Stearns spoke to the media at Citi Field ahead of Friday’s series opener between the Giants and Mets – Image Credit: George Napolitano/Latino Sports
In the Mets clubhouse, the players are loose and focused on finishing their season on a positive note, though not knowing what the future holds for many. One player informed me a change of manager from Carlos Mendoza to Green was not the difference. It’s the results on the field from the players and they failed under Mendoza.
“Sometimes the game has these twists and turns,” the player said, reiterating that Green has been comfortable in his role and has no gaps in communication.
With 21 games to go until the end of the 2026 MLB regular season, all the Mets could do from here on out is play spoiler against teams contending for October while reformulating for 2027 – Image Credit: Maz Adams/Latino Sports
The Mets though have resurged a bit with their bats and overall play on the field with Green in the dugout and Friday night displayed that same trend. Facing subpar Giants starter Matt Wilkinson (three innings, seven runs, five hits, three HRs, two walks and two Ks) and Yunior Marte out of the ‘pen (five innings, three runs, four hits, two HRs, two walks and two Ks) perhaps could help with that.
Nevertheless, Stearns for the first time was more confident and open about the progression over the past six weeks. He has a lot of work to accomplish and another deadline approaching with an impending lockout.
Rich Mancuso is a senior writer and columnist at LatinoSports.com with coverage of MLB, boxing, and MLS – X:@Ring786, Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso
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