Stearns Stays as Mets President
Mets Owner Steve Cohen Confirms David Stearns Will Remain President Through 2028 Season
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New York Mets owner Steve Cohen publicly backed president of baseball operations David Stearns on July 1, 2026, saying Stearns will keep his job through 2028. "I'm going forward with David as our leader," Cohen said, according to New York Post. The statement was Cohen's first public comment since the team fired manager Carlos Mendoza on June 26.
The Mets sit at 36-50, last place in the National League East and 9.5 games out of a Wild Card spot, according to MLB.com. Their $330 million payroll is among the highest in MLB history, according to The Sports Column.
Cohen Fires Manager but Keeps the Architect
The Mets fired Mendoza after a 34-47 start following a six-game losing streak capped by a four-game sweep by the Chicago Cubs, according to AP News. Andy Green, previously a senior VP of baseball development, was named interim manager. Stearns confirmed Green will return to the front office after 2026 ends.
Mendoza's winning percentage fell from .580 in his first year and a half to .417 over his final 175 games, according to CBS Sports. Cohen spoke on The Show podcast to draw a clear line: the manager is gone, but Stearns stays. Cohen warned against "burn and churn," saying, "Every time you burn and churn, guess what? The next time, nobody wants to come."
A Brutal 2026 Season Piled Up Fast
The 2026 season started with a 12-game losing streak, according to CBS Sports. The team is now dealing with a wave of injuries. Marcus Semien is on the 10-day injured list with a hip issue. Luis Robert Jr. is on the 60-day IL with a back injury. Jorge Polanco is on the 60-day IL with a wrist injury. Pitcher Tylor Megill is out for the entire season after Tommy John surgery.
The offseason that built this roster was aggressive. Stearns traded away Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil. He then signed Bo Bichette and traded for Marcus Semien and Luis Robert Jr., according to MLB.com. But the results have not followed. Bichette is hitting well with an .848 OPS, according to Rising Apple, while the injured pieces have left big holes in the lineup.
Why Cohen Is Betting on Stability Over Results
The Mets have had nine different lead executives in the last ten years, according to The Athletic. That history of turnover has scared away top talent. Cohen said sticking with Stearns is a direct attempt to fix that reputation. He pointed to the 2024 NLCS run — when the Mets came close to the World Series — as proof that Stearns' plan can work, according to Yardbarker.
Stearns was hired in September 2023 on a five-year, $50 million contract, according to New York Post. Cohen called him "reflective and adaptable," even while acknowledging a mixed record. By locking in Stearns publicly, Cohen also removes the "lame duck" problem. Any new manager hired for 2027 will know who their boss is and that he is not going anywhere.
Trade Deadline Looms as Fans Grow Restless
With the August 3 trade deadline weeks away, the Mets are expected to be major sellers, according to WJOX-FM. Bichette has an opt-out clause that makes him a potential trade chip. Rental pitchers could also be moved. The team faces a hard pivot from trying to win now to rebuilding for 2027 and beyond.
Fan anger has boiled over publicly. Cohen responded on social media after security removed a "Fire Stearns" sign from Citi Field. He also faced antisemitic insults online, which he addressed on X, according to Forbes. Analysts like Mike Phillips of Sports Illustrated argue that keeping Stearns is the right call for long-term credibility, even if it is painful right now for a fan base expecting a championship.
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