Mets Monday Morning GM: 3 signs David Stearns lacks faith in the farm system he acquired

Does David Stearns even like the New York Mets farm system? We’ve seen past General Managers spray anti-prospect fluid shortly after getting hired while showing loyalty to their own draft picks. Stearns hasn’t shuttled prospects out of the Mets organization, but hints of not being a diehard fan of several of them are there.

Only one draft into his Mets tenure and a status of buying at the trade deadline while protecting the best assets they have in the minor leagues isn’t enough to know for sure how much Stearns likes the kids. Maybe it’s all prospects in general? We’re going to get a chance to find out. So far, these signs point toward him having less faith than some of the fans who are convinced it’s a minor league system full of superstars.

1) The Mets reluctantly called up Luisangel Acuna in 2024

It wasn’t until Francisco Lindor was unavailable to play that Luisangel Acuna was called up in September. Granted, Acuna had a poor showing in Triple-A last year. His numbers didn’t beg for the big league promotion many were clamoring for well before he did debut.

Instead of Acuna, the Mets gave Pablo Reyes the first crack on the roster in September. He was quickly disposed of and replaced with Eddy Alvarez whom they were able to pick up in a trade. The Mets eventually put Alvarez further away on the backburner in favor of Acuna who started plenty when he was promoted while Lindor healed up.

This hasn’t been an unusual circumstance for the Mets. One can argue just about every notable prospect who has made it to the majors since 2022 could have or should have been in the majors sooner. Although the results didn’t prove they were a major leaguer toiling away in the minors, it’s a fair enough assessment considering the alternative veterans the Mets showed up to games with instead.

Once is an accident. Twice is a coincidence. Thrice is a pattern.