NY Mets Monday Morning GM: 3 David Stearns realities no one can argue

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s just David Stearns. Fans of his will have you convinced he gained superpowers after filling into a nuclear reactor. Detractors will insist he sold the New York Mets a monorail they didn’t need.

He’s a bit more divisive than most of the GMs/POBOs who’ve come through in recent years. Anything he does seems to have the same critics or accolades using the same material. There is a small band who judge him based on each individual move. Things just tend to be more black and white with him for whatever reasons.

What’s the reality with David Stearns?

1) David Stearns is no more a genius than any other high-ranking, successful GM or POBO

Only the Stearns haters seem to use the word “genius” with him because it is condescending. No true fan of his would actually suggest he can play a game of chess against five different people plus a chicken at once; the ultimate genius move if you’ve watched enough television and movies growing up.

To get to where he is in life, it takes a certain kind of intelligence. Have lesser minds reached the ranks he did? You betchya. But in comparison to many of the other highest-ranking front office people, he’s not entirely unique. If he was, Stearns would have multiple championships instead of none. He’s a smart guy because he is where he is, has the reputation he has, and has a track record of winning.

2) Even if David Stearns is the smartest in his role, he’s not bulletproof

Even the chicken gets you into checkmate once in a while. Stearns’ lack of a championship is going to remain one of the biggest punches a doubter of his can throw. Until he wins something more than a division title, his teams never making it to the World Series, there will be this trump card to pull.

Measuring the smarts of Stearns against all other shot callers in MLB can’t be fairly done because of how extensive each network is. Stearns may have the final say, but it’s a system that leads him to those choices. No conveyer belt goes a whole year without breaking down or needing some. There will be flubs and in two years with the Mets, we’ve experienced plenty.

3) David Stearns needs time to make his plans work

Stearns isn’t just a guy with a briefcase full of cash signing all of the best free agents. His plan needs time to work. It’s a different way of thinking for Steve Cohen this offseason. Since taking over as the owner, the Mets have had multiple people warm up Stearns’ office. The manager seat has been constantly on fire.

Stearns hasn’t been in a position of power for the Milwaukee Brewers since 2022 and they’re still just beginning to reap some of the rewards. The Mets had a pretty vacant farm system when Stearns arrived, but are now among the best in the sport. Keeping that intact and growing it while also building a competitive major league team requires a few years. We’re about to enter our third and the reality for Cohen is he needs to find his inner Braveheart before pulling the plug.

Hold…Hold….Hold….Hold….Now!