David Stearns is validated on a consistent basis
Written by Dalton Allison
Usually when someone is described as “operating in the shadows,” it comes with a negative connotation. David Stearns is the outlier in this case, as his shadow operations (which of course do not occur in the shadows) have been swift and decisive. At this point in time, Stearns has weaved a web of great decisions into an impressive start to the season. Of course, the offseason was highlighted by the signing of Juan Soto to his massive deal, as well as the extensions of Sean Manaea and Pete Alonso. While Manaea is getting closer to coming back from injury, Soto and Alonso have been key to the recent run of offensive success the Mets have enjoyed. Soto has enjoyed a scintillating June, raking with a 1.333 OPS and four home runs, all while enjoying a .549 OBP. Alonso has been driving Soto and others often, clubbing six home runs and driving in 20.
Those spotlight moves and recent success of the Soto-Alonso duo has undoubtedly been a driving force for the recent success for the Mets, but a look around the league at notable signings the Mets were connected with shows that the decision making from Stearns was spot on. It’s been highlighted many times that Stearns is not a fan of giving aging pitchers long or even medium-term deals. Despite this, it was still a rumor that the Mets would be interested in Corbin Burnes. Burnes, following three straight seasons of throwing at least 190 innings, entered his age 30 season looking for a new contract. He got that contract from the Arizona Diamondbacks, who inked him to a six-year, $210 million contract. Unfortunately, it was announced recently that Burnes is going to require Tommy John surgery for his injured arm, meaning Arizona is going to have a lot of dead money on their payroll for the next season and a half.
By not signing Burnes, another ace like Max Fried, or even Luis Severino, the Mets had enough flexible money on their hands to create depth in their rotation. For a combined total of around $17 million, Stearns inked incredible value in Clay Holmes and Griffin Canning. Holmes has been a methodical starter for the Mets this season, and ideal middle of the rotation pitcher who has found his starting stride under pitching coach Jeremy Heffner. A 2.95 ERA and a WHIP of 1.186 from a middle rotation pitcher transitioning from a career in the bullpen is more than what was hoped for. Canning, brought on by Stearns for $4.25 million after being one of the worst pitchers in baseball last season, has provided tremendous numbers from the back of the rotation, even if he has been getting figured out by batters in his most recent starts.
The depth and quality of Stearns’s acquisitions will continue to prove worthwhile as the season progresses. Injuries are bound to occur, much like they did on Thursday to Kodai Senga, who was off to a stellar season. While covering first base, Senga strained his hamstring, and will be forced to go on the injured list as a result. In past seasons, this would hamper any positive momentum the Mets would be having due to a lack of depth. However, with Paul Blackburn on the roster, and Frankie Montas and Manaea on the mend, the Mets will be able to plug the hole left by Senga adequately. Of course it is never good to lose your ace pitcher for any stretch of the season, but the hole to be filled feels smaller when you know the roster has the depth to replace him.
The additions Stearns has made midseason to the bullpen have also worked in his favor. With regulars like Reed Garret and Huascar Brazoban starting to get fatigued from a heavy lift early this season in addition to the injury of A.J. Minter, Stearns has been creative in buying innings from available free agents. Among the innings eaters has been Jose Castillo, who has picked up valuable innings in several Mets victories over this recent stretch, and has helped to preserve other arms in the bullpen. After struggling with the Diamondbacks earlier this season, Castillo seems to have taken well to Hefner and the Mets coaching staff.
While cliche, it is certainly true that the MLB season is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes a lot of moves just to keep a functioning ballclub on the field each day, including a lot of seemingly inconsequential moves. What’s most encouraging about this front office is that they know just the right screws to turn on the inconsequential moves, and it has paid dividends for the team early this season.
Stearns continues to prove that he knows a lot more about evaluating MLB talent than we all do. And while he has not been perfect, he appears to be the king of snagging under valued players or identifying some that he believes can be fixed by the pitching or hitting labs. He is blessed with an ownership who is ready to dump a bad move and eat salary if needed in order to put the best team possible on the field. Can't wait to see what he comes up with at or before the trade deadline.
What has impressed me about Stearns is his eye for undervalued talent. Besides leaning on stats like OBP or other “Moneyball” type metrics, he’s also looking at the player in a 360 degree measure. Kind of like Theo Epstein did for those Sox teams in the early aughts. It also helps that Stearns has an ownership committed to putting a good product on the field. It’s not just Stearns - it’s everyone from top down who are being validated. It’s a weird feeling, for Mets fans to have confidence in the FO like this (lol)