Imago
Image credit: Imago
Imago
Image credit: Imago
During his time with the Milwaukee Brewers, David Stearns built his reputation on an analytics-first philosophy. However, under that approach, the Mets are struggling. With a 14-23 record, they are tied for the worst record in baseball. Be it their offense or defense, all departments are faltering. They are ranked 29th in terms of total runs scored (134) and 13th in terms of team ERA (4.01).
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The problems around Stearns’s methods recently came to light in public. MLB insider Jon Heyman brought back the conversation between Pete Alonso and David Stearns from 2024 that shows the divide between the clubhouse and the front office.
“When my career is being evaluated for the Hall of Fame years from now, you’ll still be fiddling with your [flipping] formulas,” Heyman quoted Alonso saying this to Stearns. That’s some fiery dig by Alonso to Stearns for focusing more on analytics. The word “flipping” was chosen as a stand-in for something else.
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According to Heyman, Alonso wasn’t thrilled with how negotiations were going, and during the meeting at his Tampa club with Steve Cohen and David Stearns, he made that clear. It was bold because Alonso arrived with a .217 season in 2023 and still promoted himself as a future Hall of Famer. His confidence worked as the Mets offered him $54 million for two years starting in 2025.
Pete Alonso wasn’t thrilled with how negotiations were going, and during a meeting at his Tampa club with Steve Cohen and David Stearns, he made that clear.
Swinging for the fences, Alonso told Stearns, “When my career is being evaluated for the Hall of Fame years from now,… pic.twitter.com/3qE4hHhpkH
— Mets Batflip (@metsbatflip1) May 8, 2026
However, Stearns was still reportedly reluctant to offer Alonso a long-term deal. He viewed the first baseman through an analytical lens, noting his age (30+) and declining defensive metrics. But Alonso believed his status as a franchise icon and elite power hitter deserved a longer, more lucrative commitment. According to Stearns, players in their 30s tend to face regression.
Alonso proved his worth in 2025 when he scored 38 HRs at .272. Still, as per MLB insider Joel Sherman, the Mets felt it was beyond their “comfort zone” when Alonso was expecting more years and a higher payout. The Orioles came knocking and took away the Polar Bear with a five-year, $155 million contract. Alonso expressed frustration, saying, “I can’t look back and be disgruntled.”
Alonso left, and Stearns stayed with his analytics. Now, as the team is struggling with its offense, Alonso’s latest three-run homer against the Marlins offered a stark contrast about why analytics might not always work. His departure has also created a power vacuum that directly caused the current offensive slump.
Without his presence, the Mets’ offense has collapsed. And when it comes to the Mets’ offseason plans, it’s surely not working.
The Mets’ recent loss against the Rockies proved the same. Their lineup was ripped straight from an analytics sheet. Austin Slater was hitting fourth, Andy Ibanez and Tyrone Taylor were in the lineup. Result? Only one run came from their combined six at-bats. Slater and Ibanez are the Mets’ 2026 additions. We wonder whether Pete Alonso’s presence had any impact.
The Mets’ botched offseason goes beyond Pete Alonso
The analytics-driven issues go beyond Pete Alonso. Stearns’ approach of dismantling the team’s core came back to haunt. Take Brandon Nimmo as an example.
The 33-year-old slugger doesn’t fit Stearns’ 30+ age-group analytics model, but is still hitting .297 with the Rangers. He was elite last year, hitting .262, but was still traded. In exchange, the Mets got Marcus Semien, who is hitting .227 and has hit just two homers with the Mets so far. Jeff McNeil, another core member the Mets let go, is hitting .309 with the A’s.
The Mets bet a lot on Bo Bichette for his .311 season last year. This time, he is hitting .237 so far. Stearns also made an Alonso-like mistake with Edwin Diaz.
Despite finishing with a 1.63 ERA, 28 saves, and 98 strikeouts last year, the Mets didn’t make any move to sign him. Instead, they went for Devin Williams and Luke Weaver. Williams is struggling with a 6.17 ERA, and Weaver stands with a 4.70 ERA.
Questions would not have been raised if the Mets were performing better, but the reality seems more difficult for David Stearns than manager Carlos Mendoza.
Written by
Edited by
Arunaditya Aima