Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns met with the media Monday in his end-of-season news conference. From first base plans and Pete Alonso fallout to the starting rotation’s outlook and second base’s starter, Stearns’ 2026 reflection and 2027 outlook were covered extensively on SNY.
“I’m always under pressure,” Stearns said. “My job is to put a winning team on here, on the field, every single year. That hasn’t changed from the day I sat up here for my introductory press conference to when I’m sitting up here right now.”
What other key topics did Stearns discuss? From the Mets’ roster to New York’s retooled coaching staff and front office, here is a closer look.
Bo Bichette’s opt-out decision remains ongoing
Bichette has time to opt in or out of his contract with the Mets. He and Stearns “have not had those discussions.”
“I have not had those discussions with Bo,” Stearns said of Bichette, who slashed .260/.312/.390 with 18 home runs and 78 RBI in 160 games. “He’s got the right now to take some space, discuss with his family and his agent, and I’m sure he’ll get back to us.”
Brett Baty’s September momentum
Baty slashed .333/.417/.608 with three home runs and 16 RBI in September, capping his fourth full season since his Aug. 17, 2022, debut. Will he take another step in 2027?
“The truth is we won’t know,” Stearns said of Baty, who slashed .236./.309/.371 with 11 home runs and 56 RBI in 143 games. “I do think, having been around Brett for multiple years now — I think where he is from a mindset perspective, his level of belief in himself and how he works through an at-bat, is different right now. But as with any player, until you see it for an extended period, very difficult for me to sit here right now and have complete certainty on that.”
Mauricio, who broke out with two home runs this past weekend to cap a 20-game sample size with the Mets this season, has a pivotal offseason entering the 2027 campaign.
“He’s among them,” Stearns said of Mauricio, who slashed .220/.258/.441 with four home runs and eight RBI. “Ronny goes into next year out of options. We saw the flash of potential over the last couple days. That was exciting for us to see — I think great for him to experience going into the offseason, and so he’s among them. I think he comes into spring training next year competing for a spot.”
Francisco Alvarez’s ‘really encouraging’ second half
Alvarez slashed .233/.311/.399 with 16 home runs and 43 RBI in 113 games but left Stearns impressed elsewhere.
“Probably up and down,” Stearns said of Alvarez’s fourth MLB season. “But we’ve seen, I think — again, the second half Francisco behind the plate was really encouraging. I think his defense took a step forward behind the plate. His command of the pitching staff and game-calling took a step forward in the second half. Really a credit to him for not getting down and frustrated, and a credit to our coaching staff for getting him there.”
Kodai Senga’s to-be-determined role
Senga started 8 of 31 games and moved to the bullpen. Will he remain a reliever or return to his role in the starting rotation?
“I think we’ll make that determination as we get into spring training and see where we are,” Stearns said. “We know where Kodai’s passion is. He’s been very honest with that. We also understand that we need a level of production, in whatever role he’s going to be in, to contribute to a winning team. And so, we’ll ultimately make that role determination as we get into next year.”
Bullpen options
Whether or not the Mets’ bullpen includes Senga, Stearns sees options among the returning arms.
“I give Devin (Williams) a lot of credit for working his tail off to getting back here and being able to pitch a couple games in September,” Stearns said of Williams (right shoulder strain) returning from a late-season stint on the injured list to make two relief appearances. “I think that was important for us. It was important for Devin. He’s now going to have a completely normal offseason. He’s healthy, he feels great and we expect him to be a big part in the back end of the bullpen going forward.
“We also feel really good about some of the younger guys who stepped up in a big way over the last two months, whether that’s a Nate Lavender or (Dedniel Núñez) coming back or (Daniel) Duarte taking some leverage innings. We saw flashes from (Jefry) Yan that make you believe that there’s a level in there that he can be one of the better left-handed relievers in baseball. Again, we need to see consistency, and we recognize that, and there’s inevitable volatility in bullpens. But I think what we saw out of that group collectively was very encouraging.”
Garrett and Megill are set to enter the spring at 100 percent after missing the 2026 season due to surgeries in 2025, Stearns said.
“They’ve both been around the team over the last couple weeks,” Stearns said. “Great to see them. We expect them to be full go in spring training.”
Stearns did not say whether Megill, a starter before he went down with his injury, would be a reliever when asked.
“I think he’s going to come and compete, and we believe he can contribute on the team,” Stearns said of Megill, who is a career 26-26 with a 4.46 ERA in 88 games (81 starts). “He’ll ramp up for starter workload over the offseason and come to spring training, compete.”
Jared Young’s concussion recovery ‘going well’
Young, who sustained a concussion in the past two weeks, is doing “well” after the “scary” incident against the Philadelphia Phillies.
“Concussions are serious, and obviously that was as ugly as it gets on a baseball field and scary,” Stearns said of Young, who slashed .266/.330/.429 with nine home runs and 39 RBI in 103 games. “Right now, everything seems to be going well. But concussions are serious, and we’ve got to see how this goes.”
Derek Falvey’s addition to front office
The Mets added to the front office this past week when they hired Falvey as their senior advisor for baseball operations.
“Derek’s in the office today,” Stearns said. “He’s up and going. Derek, in my estimation, is one of the better executives in our sport. He’s got a tremendous amount of experience. He’s touched every aspect of baseball operations over the course of his career. He ran the business side in Minnesota as well. So, I think he’s going to help us everywhere. He’s a great thought partner, can provide some different life experiences and different perspectives, and I’m thrilled that he’s on board right now.”
Falvey’s career includes stints in the front offices of the Cleveland Guardians (2008-16) and Minnesota Twins (2017-26).
“I think you can add to front offices in a variety of different ways,” Stearns said. “I think the important part is getting people here who are ready to contribute and want to contribute and can offer us perspectives that will help.”
Stearns did not “close the door on” adding to the front office further.
“There’s always executive movement in October,” Stearns said. “I’m open to adding, as I’ve always been, if we find the right complements and the right people. So, I wouldn’t close the door on anything right now.”
Staff movement
Andy Green is the Mets’ full-time manager, and “conversations on” his coaching staff will come in the near future.
“Andy and I are going to have conversations on that this week, and we’ll get to a decision point here over the next week or so,” Stearns said.
With the Mets’ 2027 blueprint already taking shape, Green and Stearns look to build on the 2026 season’s improved second half.
“I think the manager is always an integral part of that, and I think Andy did a really nice job creating an environment that facilitated that level of connection,” Stearns said. “I also think players are responsible for that, and both the players we had here and the younger players and the Triple-A players who joined after the deadline made real effort of that and I’m appreciative of that.”
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