2 truths and 1 lie about David Stearns’ first offseason as Mets POBO

New York Mets fans want the truth. The whole truth. Nothing but the truth.

In the midway part of the offseason, debates about where the team stands rage on among fans on each of the social media platforms. Celebrity wannabes on Twitter fight with anonymous trolls with silent voices. Over on TikTok, 13-year-old girls are virtually hollering about the Sean Manaea signing while others are doing happy dances over the addition of Harrison Bader. Folks over at MySpace are eager to see what Jason Bay will do. Don’t spoil it for them.

Optimists see one version. Realists see another. What is the truth about the Mets and what's a lie? Let's play the classic game of two truths and a lie and attempt to expose who they really are.

Mets Truth: The team can compete for a playoff spot

It's not a white flag season for the Mets. They definitely can compete for a playoff spot. It's a truth to accept even if you have felt letdown this winter by the ball club. Expanded playoffs and a standard in the National League where a team barely above .500 can sneak in and make it to the World Series will provide a little bit of hope for the hopeless.

All of those “ifs” and “buts” David Stearns has added to the roster will have fans feeling strongly in one direction or the other. The truth? He has built a team very much capable of being as good as the 2023 Arizona Diamondbacks or Miami Marlins. They’re not quite a top wild card seed level where the Philadelphia Phillies found themselves. A few lucky bounces and stolen games from the jaws of defeat can make a difference.

How the Mets perform in the first half will determine if Stearns blows the whole thing up at the trade deadline or not. The roster is perfectly set to become major sellers if need be. However, if the team does well, we shouldn’t expect them to go full bore and sacrifice too much of their farm system to win it all in 2024.

Competitive? Yes. Contenders? Check the standings at the end of June.