Stearns: No mulligans on Alonso as Mets finish last in NL East — SkimNews
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- David Stearns said at a 33-minute end-of-season news conference that he doesn't get "mulligans" on not re-signing Pete Alonso, acknowledging the Mets' first-base production "wasn't good enough" after letting the slugger walk to Baltimore on a five-year, $155 million deal
- Pete Alonso led the American League with 43 homers and 113 RBIs while playing all 162 games for the third consecutive season, becoming the first player in major league history to win an RBI crown in both leagues
- The Mets finished 74-88, last in the NL East for the first time in 23 years and their worst record since 2017, despite starting the season with a record $358 million payroll; their first basemen combined for just 18 homers, 77 RBIs and a .667 OPS — third-lowest in MLB
- Juan Soto posted a .908 OPS, his second-lowest career mark, while Francisco Lindor set full-season career lows with 49 RBIs, a .225 batting average and a .733 OPS; both missed extended time with calf injuries
- The Mets hired former Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey as senior adviser for baseball operations, reporting directly to Stearns, and gave interim manager Andy Green a three-year contract after he went 27-22 following Carlos Mendoza's June 26 firing
- Rookie pitcher Nolan McLean went 12-10 with a 3.16 ERA in 31 starts, while outfielders Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing combined for 31 homers and 47 stolen bases to fuel a late-season turnaround
- Alonso received standing ovations from Mets fans before every at-bat during the Orioles' three-game sweep at Citi Field this month, and "Fire Stearns!" chants rang out at Camden Yards on Sept. 15 when his 300th career homer tied the score in the ninth
Why it matters: Stearns now enters a critical offseason with major holes at first base, second base, the bullpen and the rotation after a 74-88 last-place finish that was the franchise's worst since 2017. The Falvey hire signals ownership is fortifying Stearns's front office rather than replacing him, but the $358 million payroll produced the NL East's worst team and the second-lowest first-base OPS in baseball — putting the pressure squarely on Stearns to rebuild the roster quickly.
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