Does David Stearns' trade deadline history spell disaster for the New York Mets? MLB analyst opens up

David Stearns was hired as the Mets' president of baseball operations on the day after their dreadful 2023 season mercifully ended. Ten months later, the executive finds himself in the exact position that billionaire owner Steve Cohen anticipated when he hired him.

On account of an impressive 12-8 run since June 25, the Mets' 49-49 record places them in the third and final NL Wild Card spot. With the July 30 trade deadline fast approaching, David Stearns will be tasked with sheparding the team closer to postseason contention with some shrewd moves.

At just 39 years old, Stearns has nearly fifteen years of experience in MLB front offices. However, recently, an MLB analyst took aim at Stearns' record as an exective, and urged caution so that similar mistakes are not executed this year.

As GM of the Milwaukee Brewers in 2022, Stearns traded star closer Josh Hader to the Padres at the trade deadline. In a recent edition of his podcast Baseball Bar-B-Cast, host Jordan Shuterman took aim at David Stearns' record with particular reference to the Hader trade:

“And I think that that trade is held up very often as an example of what not to do at the deadline because it kind of blew up the clubhouse and that team kind of skidded in the second half.

"Whether he learns for that or whether that's his MO and he believes in the process, I think will really be indicative because I think it's harder to do a sell when you're the GM of the Mets and you're in a playoff spot than you are when you're the GM of the Brewers in a playoff spot. What do the Mets need?"

After the Hader trade, the Brewers lost ground, and eventually lost the NL Central to the St. Louis Cardinals, end ended up missing the playoffs. This season, Stearns will carefully weighing his team's needs in an attempt to avoid a similar outcome.

"David Stearns still believes the Mets are capable of making the playoffs this year. Do you?" - Ben Verlander

For David Stearns and the New York Mets, pitching will need to be a priority at the trade deadline. Despite having scored more runs than 25 other MLB teams, New York ranks 20th in MLB in team ERA.

For Stearns, finding a way to acquire postseason-ready starters without sacrificing integral bats like Pete Alonso, Francisco Lindor or any important propects will remain the biggest challenge over the coming weeks.

David Stearns' Mets turnaround is ahead of schedule

When former GM Billy Eppler left the Mets at the end of 2023, the defeated GM admitted that the club will likely not be competitive until 2025 or 2026. However, now tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the last NL playoff spot, things have moved quicker than expected. As Mike Puma recently wrote for the New York Post:

"The so-called reset year now has a chance to become something much better than just waiting until 2025."

A man of considerable experience, Stearns now must ensure that the proper moves are made to usher in results for a fanbase that grows ever-more impatient.