Rich, just spot on. I thought when Stearns was hired, he would last three years. While injuries decimated the starters, did we REALLY think Megill (Mr. April) was ready to be an ace? Montas has a poor track record the last four years. The "lightning in a bottle" smacks of the Wilpons' regime. Peterson is at best a #three starter. Senga has to have everything just right. Life ain't like that, Senga. Manaea was rushed, but I thought he would find himself. Not so much. The bullpen was a mess, save for Diaz, but tell me what bullpen could have saved this team? Porous defense, 3 inning starters, and an offense that looks unbeatable one game, then disappears into ethernet.
What was lacking was the cold hearted and brutal honesty that defines the management psyche on great and enduring teams. Leave the emotional approach to the on-field players and coaches and the irrational approach to the most passionate fans. In the end, the steely eyes of the gunslingers in the front office must prevail—often to our chagrin. The rest of us get our just reward on the occasion the management strategy succeeds. I’ve been invested in this team since, as a child, I loyally rooted for Choo-Choo Coleman. You, the management, are supposed to be the responsible parents. Act like it.
I keep hearing people nitpick Alonso’s streakiness, but let’s be real: you don’t walk away from a guy who’s hit 40+ bombs in four of his first six seasons, plays every day, and actually shows up when it matters.
Look across town for the cautionary tale. The Yankees locked up Aaron Judge for $360 million. Captain, face of the franchise, MVP, all of it. And what does he give you in October? A career postseason line of .205 average, .296 OBP, 86 strikeouts in 58 games. That’s a strikeout rate pushing 34% — literally the worst in postseason history among players with real plate appearances. He shrinks when the lights are brightest.
Pete isn’t perfect, but he’s durable, clutch, and ours. You don’t risk losing that kind of bat and clubhouse presence just to play moneyball on a homegrown cornerstone. If anything, Judge’s October numbers should seal the deal — sign Pete for life before we wake up one day and realize we let go of the guy who should’ve been the Mets’ anchor for the next decade.
I asked AI the following question: In 2022, was the trade of Josh Hader to the San Diego Padres one of the reasons that the Brewers missed the playoffs?
Answer: "Yes, the trade of Josh Hader to the San Diego Padres is considered a significant factor in the Brewers missing the playoffs in 2022, as it disrupted the team's performance and morale during a crucial part of the season. The timing of the trade, while the Brewers were in first place, left many fans and players confused and frustrated, contributing to a decline in their performance."
Guess the name of the Brewer's President of Baseball Operations at that time:
David Stearns
In my opinion, his role in getting rid of Jose Iglesias and Harrison Bader drove out the Mets' clubhouse motivators. The Phillies went on a tear after Harrison Bader joined them. In addition, the trades at the July deadline were a total bust!
Great article but I don’t think this season will hurt for any length of time provided that they demonstrate more resiliency next year and make the playoffs. I am skeptical that they are serious about addressing all the issues when Mendoza is immediately declared safe. He (and Stearns) are not at fault for players underperforming. However they are absolutely at fault for trotting out those underperforming players game-after-game, start-after-start. Peterson, Manaea, Montas, and Senga stunk post-ASB and yet they all started a ton of games. Acuna, Siri, Taylor, Vientos, cold-Marte, cold-Vientos all received way too many ABs. Post-toe injury Lindor should have been put on the IL regardless of what he wanted to do. He was awful for two months, time that could have revealed Mauricio’s true value, good or bad. He’s still an unknown, worth little to the team and worth even less on the trade market.
I don’t think the hurt will last as long as Rich exaggerates. We’ll be fine as long as ownership and management don’t let it define the organization. Block all the noise from media and fans and get to work!! If we allow this to define them then we’ll fall into the same trap. I still trust Stearns and this ownership more than any other we have had. You make a mistake, lose a season, learn, and move on. The Metsvwiol be a better organization for it!!.💪🏾💪🏾
Most ppl who are leaving comments - here and other sites - bring up the pitching as the major problem. True but the ppl who are expressing the WIDTH AND DEPTH of the problems the Mets exhibited are the true thinkers of what went wrong.
Two simple things for me.
1. A MET fan from the day they were born into the National league. Yes, that makes me a senior fan. I AM NOT BELIEVING FJR OBE MINUTE that this will be turned around in 1 year. Yes, they will make enough changes to be better, but the slime of this collapse will not rinse off well. Especially that they made it clear Mandoza will remain manager. Yikes!! I can easily remember. Ames where our lose was directly a result of his wooden thinking. No creativity - afraid to experiment with mine up changes- no hit and runs - no suicide bunts - matter of fact very few bunts. He is STILL A YANKEE. I can only hope that sterns KEEPS HIM on a SHORT LEASH and shows him the door w early in the year as the nets play ring around tie Rosie
Who is in charge of these inept coaches? Manager!
In many games, the Mets play like a minor league team and all the manger has to say is “I still believe in this team”. Shut up - you may be a nice man but you are a piss poor manager. The team may very well have ignored him - he doesn’t carry a reputation or brains or confidence to rally his players
So, go ahead - change coaches … chance some personnel ….. changes will be cheap talk until there is a LEADER that can show confidence, creativity, and leadership.
After the changes - if he is still manager be ready for the same slime to cover each Mets player - so says I
Now that the season has bee concluded, I won't get apoplectic about the could of, should of, and would ofs. I hope they are able to make changes that will benefit the whole roster by making the changes necessary to the coaching staff, position players, and especially the pitching staff. As a very wise Yogi Berra once said, "IT'S OVER"!!!
Sure, 2025 was brutal—no argument there. But let’s not confuse the regular season marathon with the October sprint. Baseball history is littered with teams that “limped in” through the Wild Card and then shocked everyone. A one-out-of-two series is not 162 games—it’s coin-flip territory. Hot pitcher, lucky bounce, one clutch swing, and the whole story changes.
Rich, you act like blowing the Wild Card spot means the Mets lost their one golden ticket to October glory. But let’s be real: had they squeaked in, anything could have happened. The Diamondbacks last year are Exhibit A. The Nationals in 2019. The Cardinals back in 2011. Teams that were written off ended up spraying champagne. That’s the nature of the Wild Card—it’s chaos by design.
So yes, the collapse hurts, and the scars will linger. But to say the “math” turning against them doomed the season misses the bigger truth: the math only ever got you to the door. Once you’re in, the rules flip. The team that stumbles across the finish line can still ride momentum (or dumb luck) past a so-called juggernaut. That’s why fans held out hope to the bitter end—because in the Wild Card era, you don’t need to be the best team in September, just the last team standing in October.
Cohen's owner statement was nice. But not a full plate of crow. He should have sat next to Stearns during the press conference and answerered the question - How is Mendoza back? I did not watch the Stearns presser - so I will ask here - did anyone press Stearns as to why he was not at fault. Stearns taking the blame is nice, but he is not on the field. He is not the one telling Soto that his record setting contract means he needs to run to first base. He is not the one continously waiving in Brazalban in from the bullpen. He needed to defend that decision more.
The third playoff spot is dubious. Are we seriously going to have the possibility that the Guardians, a division winner, will be eliminated after two games?
The AL would have had races until Sunday without it. The Reds not making the playoffs would not have been a calamity. But so it goes.
Rich, just spot on. I thought when Stearns was hired, he would last three years. While injuries decimated the starters, did we REALLY think Megill (Mr. April) was ready to be an ace? Montas has a poor track record the last four years. The "lightning in a bottle" smacks of the Wilpons' regime. Peterson is at best a #three starter. Senga has to have everything just right. Life ain't like that, Senga. Manaea was rushed, but I thought he would find himself. Not so much. The bullpen was a mess, save for Diaz, but tell me what bullpen could have saved this team? Porous defense, 3 inning starters, and an offense that looks unbeatable one game, then disappears into ethernet.
This one hurts.
Brilliant writing.
Thank you, fellas 🧡💙
Absolutely brilliant.
What was lacking was the cold hearted and brutal honesty that defines the management psyche on great and enduring teams. Leave the emotional approach to the on-field players and coaches and the irrational approach to the most passionate fans. In the end, the steely eyes of the gunslingers in the front office must prevail—often to our chagrin. The rest of us get our just reward on the occasion the management strategy succeeds. I’ve been invested in this team since, as a child, I loyally rooted for Choo-Choo Coleman. You, the management, are supposed to be the responsible parents. Act like it.
I appreciate the owner apologizing.
The team seemed assured that they would eke out a playoff spot somehow.
I'm glad they didn't eke out a playoff spot. It would have sent a bad message.
Tru dat!
I keep hearing people nitpick Alonso’s streakiness, but let’s be real: you don’t walk away from a guy who’s hit 40+ bombs in four of his first six seasons, plays every day, and actually shows up when it matters.
Look across town for the cautionary tale. The Yankees locked up Aaron Judge for $360 million. Captain, face of the franchise, MVP, all of it. And what does he give you in October? A career postseason line of .205 average, .296 OBP, 86 strikeouts in 58 games. That’s a strikeout rate pushing 34% — literally the worst in postseason history among players with real plate appearances. He shrinks when the lights are brightest.
Pete isn’t perfect, but he’s durable, clutch, and ours. You don’t risk losing that kind of bat and clubhouse presence just to play moneyball on a homegrown cornerstone. If anything, Judge’s October numbers should seal the deal — sign Pete for life before we wake up one day and realize we let go of the guy who should’ve been the Mets’ anchor for the next decade.
I asked AI the following question: In 2022, was the trade of Josh Hader to the San Diego Padres one of the reasons that the Brewers missed the playoffs?
Answer: "Yes, the trade of Josh Hader to the San Diego Padres is considered a significant factor in the Brewers missing the playoffs in 2022, as it disrupted the team's performance and morale during a crucial part of the season. The timing of the trade, while the Brewers were in first place, left many fans and players confused and frustrated, contributing to a decline in their performance."
Guess the name of the Brewer's President of Baseball Operations at that time:
David Stearns
In my opinion, his role in getting rid of Jose Iglesias and Harrison Bader drove out the Mets' clubhouse motivators. The Phillies went on a tear after Harrison Bader joined them. In addition, the trades at the July deadline were a total bust!
Great article but I don’t think this season will hurt for any length of time provided that they demonstrate more resiliency next year and make the playoffs. I am skeptical that they are serious about addressing all the issues when Mendoza is immediately declared safe. He (and Stearns) are not at fault for players underperforming. However they are absolutely at fault for trotting out those underperforming players game-after-game, start-after-start. Peterson, Manaea, Montas, and Senga stunk post-ASB and yet they all started a ton of games. Acuna, Siri, Taylor, Vientos, cold-Marte, cold-Vientos all received way too many ABs. Post-toe injury Lindor should have been put on the IL regardless of what he wanted to do. He was awful for two months, time that could have revealed Mauricio’s true value, good or bad. He’s still an unknown, worth little to the team and worth even less on the trade market.
and when do we find out that Peterson was pitching with an injury the last month of the season.
I've thought about this a lot myself. His fall was so sudden, it certainly profiled as an injury.
SORRY To Mets GM & MGR
But 5 Areas need tobe improved
Starting Pitching
Relief Pitching
Overall Defense
Hitting with RISP
LINEUP CONSTRUCTION
Starting off with some
Trade
Vientos>Marte DH
McNeil, Acuna Better off Bench
Alverez C Upgrade Needed
CF Upgrade Needed
MetsTwitter
Pitching was bad. The rest is embellishment.
This is an oversimplification of a team that had many issues.
I don’t think the hurt will last as long as Rich exaggerates. We’ll be fine as long as ownership and management don’t let it define the organization. Block all the noise from media and fans and get to work!! If we allow this to define them then we’ll fall into the same trap. I still trust Stearns and this ownership more than any other we have had. You make a mistake, lose a season, learn, and move on. The Metsvwiol be a better organization for it!!.💪🏾💪🏾
Most ppl who are leaving comments - here and other sites - bring up the pitching as the major problem. True but the ppl who are expressing the WIDTH AND DEPTH of the problems the Mets exhibited are the true thinkers of what went wrong.
Two simple things for me.
1. A MET fan from the day they were born into the National league. Yes, that makes me a senior fan. I AM NOT BELIEVING FJR OBE MINUTE that this will be turned around in 1 year. Yes, they will make enough changes to be better, but the slime of this collapse will not rinse off well. Especially that they made it clear Mandoza will remain manager. Yikes!! I can easily remember. Ames where our lose was directly a result of his wooden thinking. No creativity - afraid to experiment with mine up changes- no hit and runs - no suicide bunts - matter of fact very few bunts. He is STILL A YANKEE. I can only hope that sterns KEEPS HIM on a SHORT LEASH and shows him the door w early in the year as the nets play ring around tie Rosie
Who is in charge of these inept coaches? Manager!
In many games, the Mets play like a minor league team and all the manger has to say is “I still believe in this team”. Shut up - you may be a nice man but you are a piss poor manager. The team may very well have ignored him - he doesn’t carry a reputation or brains or confidence to rally his players
So, go ahead - change coaches … chance some personnel ….. changes will be cheap talk until there is a LEADER that can show confidence, creativity, and leadership.
After the changes - if he is still manager be ready for the same slime to cover each Mets player - so says I
Now that the season has bee concluded, I won't get apoplectic about the could of, should of, and would ofs. I hope they are able to make changes that will benefit the whole roster by making the changes necessary to the coaching staff, position players, and especially the pitching staff. As a very wise Yogi Berra once said, "IT'S OVER"!!!
Sure, 2025 was brutal—no argument there. But let’s not confuse the regular season marathon with the October sprint. Baseball history is littered with teams that “limped in” through the Wild Card and then shocked everyone. A one-out-of-two series is not 162 games—it’s coin-flip territory. Hot pitcher, lucky bounce, one clutch swing, and the whole story changes.
Rich, you act like blowing the Wild Card spot means the Mets lost their one golden ticket to October glory. But let’s be real: had they squeaked in, anything could have happened. The Diamondbacks last year are Exhibit A. The Nationals in 2019. The Cardinals back in 2011. Teams that were written off ended up spraying champagne. That’s the nature of the Wild Card—it’s chaos by design.
So yes, the collapse hurts, and the scars will linger. But to say the “math” turning against them doomed the season misses the bigger truth: the math only ever got you to the door. Once you’re in, the rules flip. The team that stumbles across the finish line can still ride momentum (or dumb luck) past a so-called juggernaut. That’s why fans held out hope to the bitter end—because in the Wild Card era, you don’t need to be the best team in September, just the last team standing in October.
I used to be able to post these in my Mets group. But now it’s not letting me post. I don’t know what happened.
Cohen's owner statement was nice. But not a full plate of crow. He should have sat next to Stearns during the press conference and answerered the question - How is Mendoza back? I did not watch the Stearns presser - so I will ask here - did anyone press Stearns as to why he was not at fault. Stearns taking the blame is nice, but he is not on the field. He is not the one telling Soto that his record setting contract means he needs to run to first base. He is not the one continously waiving in Brazalban in from the bullpen. He needed to defend that decision more.
The third playoff spot is dubious. Are we seriously going to have the possibility that the Guardians, a division winner, will be eliminated after two games?
The AL would have had races until Sunday without it. The Reds not making the playoffs would not have been a calamity. But so it goes.