Mets Facing Criticism Amidst Struggles

The Mets are entering a critical phase of the season, but David Stearns is facing criticism over his roster decisions.

Michael Kay, the Yankees’ play-by-play announcer, has been vocal about Stearns’ offseason choices, particularly the decision to part ways with several important players while opting for short-term agreements with often-injured veterans.

Even with their current three-game winning streak, the team boasts a lackluster record of 18 wins and 25 losses, which ties them with the Giants for the second-worst in Major League Baseball.

Key players like Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto are sidelined due to injuries, alongside newcomers Jorge Polanco, Luis Robert Jr., Bo Bichette, and Luke Weaver, who are also struggling or dealing with prolonged absences.

“Nothing he did worked,” Kay remarked on Tuesday during ESPN’s “The Michael Kay Show.” He expressed doubt that Stearns had fully evaluated the situation while assembling the team.

“While every other team operates one way, it seems like these players are following their own rules,” he added.

Kay criticized Stearns for ignoring warning signs regarding the injury histories of Polanco and Robert Jr., and for attempting to fill the third-base role with Bichette, someone with no prior experience at that position.

He further took issue with Stearns allowing Pete Alonso, the franchise’s all-time home run leader, to leave and join the Orioles, despite Alonso’s consistent availability.

“You have Pete Alonso, and while he may not be the type to sign a five-year deal, what he brought to the team was reliability. He played every game without issues,” Kay argued. “Instead, you choose to sign someone who struggles to stay healthy. That’s a poor move by Stearns.”

In his seven years with the Mets, Alonso missed only 24 games, whereas Polanco has already missed 29 due to injuries affecting his Achilles and wrist.

Kay did commend the Mets for calling up top prospect AJ Ewing, who has had a promising start to his major league career. After reaching base four times in his debut on Tuesday, Ewing hit his first career home run in the Mets’ recent 8-3 victory over the Tigers, marking their third consecutive win.

“When you look at this situation, it feels like panic behavior. And honestly, they might need to panic. There’s still a chance,” Kay stated. “You can’t keep putting out the same lineup that isn’t performing and expect a different result.”