Where the NY Mets front office has earned the trust of fans this season

Even as the New York Mets’ losses continue to mount, even as the starting pitching continues to take them out of games early, even as every “run prevention” quote from the offseason continues to age like milk left outside on a summer day, there is still – despite it all – reason to believe in David Stearns and his vision.

Not that it’s easy to find. New York’s president of baseball operations made sweeping roster changes in the offseason after a 2025 season ended in collapse. The result has been an even worse product on the field. One year after missing the playoffs by a single game, the Mets are 12 games under .500, dead last in the NL East and own the third-worst record in the National League.

Despite promises to prioritize “run prevention,” Stearns failed to do enough to address the Mets’ rotation and defense. New York hasn’t had a true first baseman all year after allowing Pete Alonso to walk in free agency. Stearns signed Bo Bichette – a shortstop by trade with poor defensive range metrics – to play third base. Brett Baty is starting games in right field.

Poor starting pitching and defensive blunders have lost the Mets more than a handful of games this season. Their six errors in the nightcap of a June 24 doubleheader were the most in a single game since committing six in a September 2014 game. All four infielders made an error – the first time that had happened in one game since 1962. Even ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan dunked on the Mets.

“This whole season is an error,” he posted on social media site X Wednesday night.

And yet, there is still a key reason to have faith in Stearns and the Mets’ front office, and it has to do with their development in developing home-grown talent.

Mets fans can trust in the front office’s treatment of young prospects

If there’s one thing Stearns and the Mets’ front office has done well this season – and sometimes, it feels like the only thing – it’s their handling of young prospects. From outfielders Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing to right-handed starters Nolan McLean and Christian Scott, New York has been willing to get its guys to the majors quick. And once they’re up, the Mets have given them the chance to figure things out.

Scott was the earliest Mets draftee – a fifth-round pick in the 2021 MLB Draft. By 2023, he had earned promotions through Low-A St. Lucie, High-A Brooklyn and Double-A Binghamton. He started the 2024 season in Triple-A Syracuse and debuted in the major leagues before his 25th birthday.

Next was McLean, a third-round pick in 2023. By the end of the 2024 season, the star prospect had made it to Double-A Binghamton. He pitched fewer than 27 innings at that level to begin 2025 before earning his promotion to Triple-A Syracuse. And with the Mets fighting for their playoff lives in August last year, they promoted McLean to fill a spot in their rotation after fewer than 90 innings in Triple-A.

Ewing – a fourth-round pick in 2023 – and Benge – a first-round pick in 2024 – were the beneficiaries of some aggressive promotions themselves. The former started this year in Double-A and made it to the majors by mid-May. The latter played across three levels in 2025 and made the Mets’ Opening Day roster this season.

In addition to getting them to the majors quickly, a big part of all four young players’ success has been the willingness to let them figure things out in the Show. All have experienced bumps in the road.

Scott didn’t have his first career win until his 16th start. McLean has had to battle through starts where he clearly didn’t have a good feel for his stuff. Benge looked overmatched in his first month and a half in the majors. Ewing has been bad against left-handed pitching and is striking out too much.

The common thread for every player? Stearns and Co. have given them the grace to work through their struggles without demotions. The lone exception – Scott’s option to Triple-A in April – lasted less than a week. Kodai Senga’s injury allowed the Mets to recall Scott four days later, and he stuck in the rotation after his recall until his own injury.

McLean has remained in the rotation amid his struggles. Benge never got demoted despite his rough start and managed to turn things around. Ewing just got a start – and hit a home run – against Cubs’ lefty Shota Imanaga on Wednesday night.

In a season that looks more lost by the day, the best thing Mets fans can hope for is a brighter future. New York’s front office has given them reason for faith in their philosophy with prospects and young players given how it has handled them during the 2026 season.

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