Mets Monday Morning GM: David Stearns failed fast, adjusted, proved he's the man

What led to the New York Mets being one game away from clinching a playoff spot? The answer is way too complicated to sum it all up in only a few words. Aside from the obvious magic touch of Grimace and sensational music of Jose Iglesias, the Mets are staring directly at an opportunity to play more baseball because of three elements.

A lot of good decisions by David Stearns helped lead the Mets here. Both offseason choices and in-season roster moves churned out a team now one win away from playoff baseball. All they need to do is beat the Atlanta Braves once on Monday. They’ll get two chances and if it takes a second try, they’ll do it against a team with far less incentive to come away victorious.

Is the Mets season a success even if they fall flat on their faces on Monday? What about making it there and then bouncing out quickly in the first round? It’ll be a major disappointment and a failure of a year. However, with how well the team overachieved in a year where many players didn’t have good seasons, it’s worth giving credit where it’s due. It starts at the top with Stearns assembling, dismantling, and reassembling the roster on a constant basis.

David Stearns was never complacent with the Mets roster and it paid off

This was a team that began the year with Brett Baty, Zack Short, and Joey Wendle on the roster. DJ Stewart was there, too. Remember Omar Narvaez and his 28 games played? 

The pitching staff had their share of failures, too. Adrian Houser never figured things out in the rotation and his success out of the bullpen was short-lived. Jorge Lopez tossed and talked his way out of New York. Yohan Ramirez and Michael Tonkin each had two tours with the ball club in a whirlwind campaign which saw them wear many uniforms. And how can we forget about Jake Diekman who still managed to appear in the fourth-most games of any pitcher?

This season has been one of constant readjustment. Tylor Megill’s start on Monday will be his 15th of the year. Blink and you might’ve missed a few. Although only in there out of necessity due to the Paul Blackburn injury, Stearns’ armament of alternatives paved the way for swift action.

When they needed an infielder, it was Jose Iglesias who stepped in, up, and into our hearts. He did more than any logical person should have predicted. For a long time, Danny Young was riding high as the top lefty in the bullpen. Some suspect outings lately have dropped him down the depth chart. A free agent pickup on a minor league deal this offseason, he gave the Mets enough to finally drop Diekman for good.

Fail safes helped the Mets but so did clever moves. Luis Torrens has cooled off at the plate, but remains an asset as a backup catcher capable of stopping base runners. Phil Maton for cash? It could very well be one of their best trade deadline deals ever.

Stearns had his share of misfires this year. Where he excelled was never forcing anyone onto Carlos Mendoza. When a better option was available, he has consistently added him to the roster. 

It wasn’t a perfect year for Stearns and however things go on Monday or beyond in the playoffs, the one positive he can take from this year is how to handle failure in the Big Apple. All you need to do is try something else. Then maybe a third option. Eventually, the team might start winning and help prove your genius.