David Stearns on Bo Bichette, Luis Robert Jr., and the Mets’ Roster Outlook | Andy Martino

New York Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns sits down with Andy Martino to discuss the Mets’ latest roster moves and the thinking behind them.

Stearns explains why Bo Bichette was the right fit for the Mets, how long the process had been developing behind the scenes, and what the organization values most when building a modern lineup. He also discusses the addition of Luis Robert Jr., internal competition in the outfield, and how positional flexibility factors into roster construction.

The conversation also covers expectations for Kodai Senga heading into spring training, the Mets’ continued search for pitching, and how decisions are made late in the offseason.

To close, Stearns reacts to Carlos Beltrán’s Hall of Fame election and reflects on what the moment means personally and professionally.

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⏱️ Updated Timestamps

00:00 – Why major roster pursuits take months
00:08 – Outfield outlook and internal competition
00:12 – Carson Benge’s opportunity heading into camp
00:23 – Kodai Senga’s expected role in the rotation
00:48 – Family and fan feedback on the offseason
01:22 – Why Bo Bichette fit the Mets’ needs
01:38 – Lineup balance and right-handed at-bats
02:03 – The value of elite contact skills
02:25 – Competing at-bats from one through nine
02:45 – How the Mets pivot quickly in free agency
03:10 – When talks with Bo Bichette actually began
03:48 – Contract structure and timing
04:05 – Blocking rivals vs internal evaluation
04:23 – What excites the Mets about Luis Robert Jr.
05:12 – How the outfield shakes out after additions
05:43 – Confidence in Tyrone Taylor and Brett Baty
06:00 – Player development and positional versatility
06:31 – Mark Vientos’ role and offensive upside
07:10 – First base and DH flexibility
07:27 – Continued confidence in Kodai Senga
07:55 – Carlos Beltrán’s Hall of Fame election
07:58 – Stearns’ personal reaction to Beltrán’s honor

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44 comments

  1. In summary: David Stearns doesn’t care about the “fire stearns” memes from people who don’t know any better. He’s going to make this team good whether you like it or not

  5. Dave & Steve show finally coming together. Turned team over… the rule is if we didn’t win with you, we can live without you. I loved all the guys who moved but these new guys are gamers, clutch hitters and good clubhouse people. On with’26 … we shall see.

  11. I love the additions of Devin William weaver Bo Tobias Luis but we still need atleast another reliver 1 more bat if possible a outfielder and also maybe 1 more starting pitcher

  17. Things look good now but every single move made mid season 2025 failed. We needed 1 more win…….Management failed greatly.. Give David a chance? Of course……..but he deserves fan wrath😮

  18. We have downgraded LF, 1B, and closer. We replaced 38HR (Pete) and 25 HR(Nimmo), with two guys who can hit 25 IF they stay healthy. That is a big IF. The choke artist of a new closer is a downgrade. If we would have kept Nimmo, Alonso, and Diaz with the additions of Bo, Polanco as DH and Peralta as a #1 than you are talking about improvement. On top of this you got new guy at each corner infield position who never played there, so the defense got worse. No denying this team got worse.

  20. Some of us kept telling you reactionary doomers that opening day was a long ways off, and so no not to panic over things in the first weeks of an off-season.

    David is one of the smartest executives in the game. You let him do his job and envision with a wide lense. Learn not to be so reactioary and critical until the painting is done.

  21. Regarding little Andy, I DO like him, don't ❤him. IF you're dopey enough to STILL be a liberal AND had the nerve to rip the late great Rush on air a few years ago, these lefty kooks are PROUD to be idiots. Regarding the GM GENIUS moves, 🤣 I couldn't care LESS. It's like your dad killed your mom, now he's expecting HUGS for bringing home ice cream. Getting these pitchers AND keeping Pete, that wouldn't INCREASE our chances of contending? This arrogant overpaid overrated GM/PRESIDENT/KING disrespected the GREATEST OFFENSIVE HOMEGROWN MET EVER TWO YEARS IN A ROW. Clueless Cohen granted royal status on this clown. Don't you AHoles CARE about your fans? For 2 years, we've been screaming PayPete PLEASE!!! Enjoyed your empty stadium.😂

  22. ALL THE METS NEEDED WERE 2 LEGITIMATE STARTING PITCHERS TO WIN THE WORLD SERIES. INSTEAD, DAVID STEARNS SIGNED INJURY RIDDLED PLAYERS TO PLAY OUT POSITION, AND PISSED AWAY PETE ALONSO, BRANDON NIMMO, EDWIN DIAZ, LUISANGEL ACUNA, METS 3RD AND 5TH PROSPECTS, ON AN INJURY-RIDDLED EXCESS SHORTSTOP TO PLAY OUT OF POSITION. A TOXIC. INJURY-RIDDLED UMDERACHIEVER. AND A 1- YEAR RENTAL WHO REFUSED TO SIGN AN EXTENSION. STEARNS AND COHEN ARE ARE IN FULL PANIC MODE AND PISSING AWAY PROSPECTS AND MORTGAGING THE METS FUTURE. THIS IS MANAGERIAL.MALFEASANCE BY STEARNS AND COHEN.

  23. Band-Aid Stearns, king of the 1 year deals patting himself on the back after giving away the best prospects in baseball. When the 1 year guys leave next off-season, the band-aid comes off again and the bleeding continues. That's when we'll really feel the absence of Pete Alonso and others.

  27. Helsley, Mullins, Soto, and Roger’s were supposed to make us a championship caliber team. So was max scherzer and verlander. I am not convinced a moneyball team of random players and people at random positions and people who couldn’t perform in New York doesn’t excite me. I can not safely root for any player or be excited for any player, because if their fucking advanced stats don’t meet some imaginary mark, they won’t be on the team regardless of how successful they are. Thanks David everyone wants to be a met now.

  34. We got rid of a wannabe captain, a cry baby, and a banger with a junior-high mentality; and we lost a player that wanted to win more than staying with the team that treated him very well. We now filled the gap and made the Mets a much better team than they were in 2025. Kudos to David Stearns!

  36. I'm a lifelong Mets fan that moved from NY to OK. I'll share what I know. Stillwater (Oklahoma State University Cowboys) has a solid history. I've gone to a few games, and they were always entertaining. Decades of tradition when it comes to talent and the school is historically a top five division winner. Their program has a reputation for producing left handed hitters out of there.

    Mets fans remember Jeromy Burnitz and of course Robin Ventura. Both Alumni.

    Batting Title Winner, Seven time All-Star, and World Series Champion Matt Holliday holds it down now.

    Benge is 23 years old. He has a good eye and is patient at the dish. A real solid contact bat that hits doubles and triples (so far). Battles at the plate. Draws a lot of pitches. Young legs. Got some speed too. Did well out of OSU and into the Minors since 2023. His only stumbling block being last year at AAA Syracuse. That was only 100 ABs. A small sample.

    He could very well be a .275+ average rookie with a high OBP that'll give opposing pitchers headaches. 20-20 potential right now.

    He's already in early to work on adjustments. The kid is hungry, and I think he will be the starting Left Fielder in 2026. And if he doesn't get the job out of ST, or let's say The Mets trade or pay for an established player, right? Then he'll show up in AAA and be undeniable eventually as the season rolls along.

  42. man went into hiding and came back with presents like a dad who ran out for milk and returned 2 years later lmao. happy with the moves though.

  43. this infield looks tough without a doubt. need another starter and maybe an outfielder. plenty of time and trade deadline could be huge this year

  44. Saved the offseason with the Peralta signing….but the lineup is still below average and the 2026 roster's 2nd and 4th most valuable players….are one-year rentals. lastly….their overall defense is at least as bad as last year….potentially worse.

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