A breakdown of David Stearns' session with the media
The Mets officially introduce Luis Severino and Harrison Bader. Plus, breaking down the quotes from David Stearns' availability with the press.
What’s Up with the Mets? 🍎
The Mets officially introduced RHP Luis Severino and OF Harrison Bader to the media on Wednesday afternoon
David Stearns told reporters that the club is not prioritizing offensive upgrades this offseason
New York signed RHP Yacksel Ríos to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training, the club announced
Ríos has a 6.32 ERA over 92 appearances in his major league career
Rumor Mill 💨
The Yankees have emerged as a top candidate for former Mets RHP Marcus Stroman in free agency (Morosi)
A quick breakdown of David Stearns’ quotes from Wednesday… ✍️
The Mets introduced a pair of players virtually on Wednesday afternoon in Luis Severino and Harrison Bader, giving reporters their first opportunity to speak directly to David Stearns in awhile.
Things have certainly changed since we last saw Stearns in a press conference, with the club pivoting to short-term, low-profile contracts and players this offseason. In his availability yesterday, Stearns spoke about the state of the club as well as addressing different areas that the team is and isn’t looking to improve ahead of spring training.
Here’s a breakdown of what was discussed, and what it likely means…
“There’s no perfect team, and we are not perfect in various segments of our roster, so we’re going to stay involved across the board.”
The Mets Probably Aren’t Getting a DH
If you were hoping that the Mets would be addressing their lineup, and specifically the DH position, you’re not likely to be satisfied after today. While it was suggested in reports from Andy Martino earlier in the week the club’s focus in free agency is still on pitching, meaning that the offense may not be looked at all that much.
Despite being linked to Justin Turner and J.D. Martínez at times earlier in the offseason, Stearns appeared to be comfortable with the club sticking with internal options for their designated hitter role.
“I still believe we have options internally on our roster that deserve opportunity, and frankly, for the long-term organizational outlook, need opportunity,” Stearns told reporters on Wednesday.
That likely means players such as Mark Vientos, who has struggled offensively in his first 254 career at-bats spread over the last two seasons, will get the biggest crack at the position with veteran DJ Stewart getting opportunities against right-handed pitching. One could have believed that Ronny Mauricio also would have gotten some time at DH this season had he not torn his ACL in the Dominican Winter League.
Michael spoke about it on the site yesterday, but I do think it’s worth mentioning again that the Mets have neglected the DH position since it came to the National League in favor of internal options and have yet to see any success with that method. For the club to likely continue to avoid addressing it remains disappointing, especially when there are veterans who could help you on one year contracts.
Focus on the Bullpen (but not the top-end of the market)
As Martino’s reports suggested earlier in the week, Stearns confirmed on Wednesday that the bullpen would be the club’s priority for the remainder of the offseason.
“We are looking at the ‘pen,” Stearns said. “That’s not going to be a surprise to anyone. Finding ways to solidify our bullpen makes some sense.”
At this stage of the offseason, the Mets really have not addressed their bullpen in a remotely meaningful way. To date, the only relievers the club has signed to major league deals have been Austin Adams (4.17 career ERA), Michael Tonkin (4.37 career ERA) and Jorge López (5.51 career ERA). The team also acquired right-hander Yohan Ramírez (3.99 career ERA) in a trade with the White Sox and acquired a slew of relievers on minor league deals since the offseason began.
With the rate the organization is spending money this offseason (which is to say not much), it’s doubtful that relievers on the Josh Hader tier will be a viable option. Perhaps the club could pursue a reunion with David Robertson or Aaron Loup, or bring in a reliever such as Hector Neris. Though, with the report that the club may only have about $10 million left to spend this winter, that will likely limit to caliber of bullpen arm they can realistically go after.
The Mets Rotation is “Never Finished”
It may not be what the fans have wanted, but you can’t say that the club hasn’t been active when it comes to their starting rotation. To this point, the Mets have acquired Luis Severino, Adrian Houser and Sean Manaea this offseason via free agency and trades.
Those three starters are likely to fill out a rotation led by Kodai Senga and José Quintana, both of whom the club signed last offseason, with Tylor Megill, José Butto, Joey Lucchessi, Mike Vasil and David Peterson (who will return from injury later in the summer) as depth options. Even so, could the Mets be looking to bring in more arms?
“I think we’re going to be perpetually on the lookout for ways to improve, ways to get better, ways to add,” Stearns said. “I think we’ve made some significant progress. I like the three arms that we’ve added to our starting rotation. But you never have enough starting pitching, so we’ll continue to look.”
The club was recently reported to be looking to acquire a pitching via the trade market, and was rumored to be showing some interest in White Sox right hander Dylan Cease last weekend. Cease, who is a year removed from a career-best 2.20 ERA in 2022, has been a highly sought-after starter this offseason but remains available and could turn into a high-upside get for whichever team ultimately acquires him.
It’s unclear if the Mets are really looking to shoot that high at this point, especially with their hesitance to trade away any significant prospects, but at age 28, Cease does fit in with the club’s shift to look at younger players who may just be entering their prime. Cease is under contract through the end of the 2025 season, for what it’s worth.
“I don’t think you’re ever finished,” Stearns said. “Especially when you’re talking about pitching… especially when you’re talking about starting pitching.”
Keep Calm and Carry On (to 2025)
Despite this breakdown of all his quotes and how they related to the different areas of the team, I wouldn’t say that much of anything that David Stearns said on Wednesday came as a major surprise. If anything, these answers only validated what has been reported and believed by many people over the last few weeks about the organization taking a different approach this offseason.
Perhaps Stearns was posturing, as all baseball executives are known to do, and that the team still has more up their sleeve, but at this stage of the offseason and with all of the evidence, reporting and last year’s Max Scherzer quotes, the writing has been on the wall for some time now.
There are still moves to come, but this isn’t going to be the offseason that fans dream of. The team is clearly still hoping to fall into contention with a slightly improved roster from where they finished last season, and perhaps they can find themselves in situations similar to the Dbacks from last year or the Phillies from the year before with that 7th playoff spot, but a lot will need to break right for that to happen. And if it doesn’t, I don’t think they’ll lose too much sleep over it.
As we’ve been writing a lot on this newsletter lately, this is all about 2025 and beyond.
Hot Stove 🔥
The Cubs remain engaged in free agent negotiations for LHP Jordan Montgomery, Cody Bellinger and Matt Chapman (The Athletic)
Chicago’s agreement with LHP Shoto Imanaga is for four years, $53 million with a club option to extend it to five years for $80 million (ESPN)
Former Mets RHP Elieser Hernández reportedly signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers (The Athletic)
Not much left to be said the strategy of signing one year broken down players is flawed since it will also cost us 2025. Cannot just flip a switch next year and sign quality players - some don’t want to come to NY or require draft compensation. The man shys away from long term contracts since he got burned by Yelich. Losing Alonso would be a big mistake. Did not hear anything about the Alvarez requested extension. Seems like the only excitement for the rest of the winter is the International Draft - I heard we are stockpiling catchers. To the Future !!