For the Mets GM, going back to the same thing was not the right decision
David Stearns admits that the team needed adjustments and opens the door to Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz
Promising not to “repeat” the same approach, the general manager of the New York MetsDavid Stearns, stated that the transfer of the outfielder Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers for the second baseman Marcus Semien gathered steam late last week during the general managers’ meetings in Las Vegas, culminating in a trade of high-contract veterans.
“It’s an acknowledgment that what we did last year wasn’t enough and coming back with the exact same group wasn’t the right thing to do,” Stearns said Monday in a video conference with reporters. “(Semien) balances our lineup from the right side, something we were looking for.”
The Mets collapsed in the second half and missed the playoffs after reaching the National League Championship Series in 2024.
Semien, 35, saw his OPS drop to .669 last year after hitting .230 with 15 home runs, his lowest in a full season since 2018. Stearns is banking on an offensive rebound, but also highlighted his other attributes.
“He is a player who can contribute to winning baseball in many ways,” he said. “The bat may not lead at this stage of his career… We count on his defensive contributions and what he can do on the bases. We believe that this way he can help us win.”
The move also opens up space in the Mets’ outfield, where the veteran Jeff McNeil he could receive more time, along with a bevy of prospects in the coming years. McNeil could also play more first base depending on how the offseason progresses. The historic first baseman Pete Alonso He is currently a free agent, as is the closer Edwin Diaz.
“As I’ve said before, we would love to have Edwin and Pete come back,” Stearns said. “They’re both great Mets. I’m not going to go into detail about the conversations we’ve had so far.”
Stearns was pressed on whether he has the financial ability to bring back those players and add more pieces in free agency, especially in the outfield.
“Sure, I think any scenario is realistic right now,” he responded. “The payroll margin is not unlimited, but I am also very confident that we will have the support and resources necessary to put a very good team on the field.”
Stearns also expressed gratitude to Nimmo, 32, for waiving his no-trade clause to complete the deal. Nimmo has a contract until 2030, while Semien has three years left on his deal.
Nimmo’s status as a fan favorite influenced the Mets’ analysis, but they ultimately decided to complete the trade. “It was something we had to consider,” Stearns said. “That’s part of it. It makes decisions like this a little more difficult than they would be otherwise.”
