Yesterday the NY Mets lost but it felt like a David Stearns win

Baseball isn’t a one-on-one sport but if there were two people who matter most in any game it’s the starting pitcher for each ball club. They hold more individual weight than anyone else on the field. In yesterday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, we got to see the difference between what the New York Mets do well and believe in compared to what is often the easier yet more expensive path to take when building a starting rotation.

Due to the need for a sixth starter on Wednesday, the Mets summoned Brandon Waddell up from the minors. He entered after opener Huascar Brazoban and put together a masterful performance on the mound against a lineup that was far from a pushover.

David Stearns looks like he’s on cruise control after yesterday’s Mets game

Long before Burnes even reached free agency, many tried to connect him to the Mets merely because he was once tied to David Stearns during their time together with the Milwaukee Brewers. It’s a bit foolish. It’s like assuming anyone who crosses paths in life is destined to come together again. Life isn’t a romance movie.

A combination of factors had the Mets steering clear of Burnes. The cost, the qualifying offer penalty, and maybe more than anything else, the number of years Burnes commanded in the open market turned them off. Stearns’ time with the Mets has been defined by mostly short-term additions with the lone exception being Juan Soto.

The Mets didn’t refuse to spend on their rotation. Sean Manaea made good cash. Frankie Montas, while on an even shorter deal, got paid well, too. It’s those upper echelon starting pitchers the Mets haven’t gone after in two years of Stearns calling the shots. Nothing indicates this will change. And based on the success they’ve had, nothing is going to change this.

On Wednesday, we saw the dichotomy of relying on aces versus masterful thinking of securing depth from overseas. The Waddell signing was a smart one that required some overseas scouting. Coming over from the KBO, Waddell’s good numbers in Korea translated well in Syracuse to start the season thus the promotion. 

Waddell’s 4.1 innings included 3 hits, 0 walks and 4 strikeouts. In comparison to Burnes who constantly had to work through trouble, his 6 innings featured 5 walks versus 3 strikeouts. He wasn’t the Cy Young-like pitcher he often has been in the past. He was wild and only because the Mets hit themselves out of opportunities was he able to escape without more damage.

Yeah, the Mets lost. That’s what matters most. But if there’s a victory lap to run, Stearns has the right to jog one out.