New York Mets owner Steve Cohen has declared that David Stearns will fulfill the remainder of his five-year contract as president of baseball operations, dismissing speculation about his job security. Cohen's comments came in his first public remarks since the team fired manager Carlos Mendoza.
Stearns is currently in the third year of his tenure. "David is reflective and adaptable," Cohen said in an interview on "The Show" podcast. "We'll figure out what changes need to be made, but it won't be David."
The Mets recently dismissed Mendoza following a four-game sweep by the Cubs at home, which dropped the team's record to 34-47. Andy Green has since been appointed as interim manager.
Despite the managerial change, many fans have directed criticism towards Stearns, attributing the team's struggles to a series of offseason roster moves that have not yielded the desired results. Several high-profile acquisitions have faced performance issues or injuries. Two-time All-Star Bo Bichette, signed to a three-year, $126 million contract, is batting .251 with a .678 OPS, 10 home runs, and 46 RBIs. Pitcher Freddy Peralta, acquired from the Brewers, has a 4.53 ERA in 17 starts. Devin Williams, signed to a three-year, $51 million deal, has a 4.13 ERA and 1.48 WHIP with 12 saves. Infielder Jorge Polanco, who received a two-year, $40 million contract, has been limited to just 14 games this season due to an Achilles issue. Luis Robert, another player with a history of injuries, has played in only 24 games and is hitting .224 with two home runs.