Key Takeaways
- • Steve Cohen reaffirms commitment to David Stearns as Mets head of baseball operations, stating "I'm going forward with David as our leader" and explicitly ruling out dismissal despite the team's poor performance this season.
- • Cohen acknowledges performance issues but frames Stearns as reflective and adaptable, noting "David is reflective and adaptable. We'll figure out what changes need to be made, but it won't be David," signaling that organizational adjustments will occur at other levels.
- • Ex-player Todd Frazier endorses Cohen's decision to retain Stearns, arguing that providing stability and "peace of mind" to the general manager is the correct leadership approach regardless of disagreement on the decision itself.
- • Cohen references existing contractual obligations with Stearns, implying both legal and strategic reasons for the retention decision beyond purely performance-based evaluation.
- • Owner acknowledges ongoing evaluation process while committing to continuity, stating "There's no guarantees in anything. I'm going to evaluate this as we go along," indicating potential for future changes if circumstances warrant.
Summary
Steve Cohen, owner of the New York Mets, has publicly committed to retaining David Stearns as the organization's head of baseball operations despite the team's struggling 2026 season. In remarks made during an appearance on "The Show" with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman, Cohen stated unequivocally that he will not dismiss Stearns, saying "I'm going forward with David as our leader" and "Not gonna do it" when directly asked about potential termination.
Cohen acknowledged that organizational changes are necessary, characterizing Stearns as "reflective and adaptable" and indicating that adjustments will be made elsewhere within the baseball operations structure. The owner's public backing comes despite apparent pressure from some segments of the fan base and media questioning whether the organization should pivot its leadership direction. Cohen noted that he holds a contract with Stearns and alluded to having pursued the executive for years before bringing him to the Mets, suggesting significant institutional investment in the relationship.
Former player Todd Frazier, in commentary on the decision, supported Cohen's choice to allow Stearns to continue through the season, arguing that providing stability represents sound leadership practice. "If he really believes in Stearns, this is what you should do. Give him a little peace of mind, whether you agree or not," Frazier stated, framing the retention as a matter of organizational coherence rather than purely performance-based metrics.
Cohen tempered his commitment with conditional language, acknowledging that "there's no guarantees in anything" and that he will "evaluate this as we go along," preserving optionality for future decision-making. This approach suggests Cohen is maintaining Stearns' position in the near term while reserving the right to reassess if performance metrics or other factors shift materially.
Cohen acknowledged that organizational changes are necessary, characterizing Stearns as "reflective and adaptable" and indicating that adjustments will be made elsewhere within the baseball operations structure. The owner's public backing comes despite apparent pressure from some segments of the fan base and media questioning whether the organization should pivot its leadership direction. Cohen noted that he holds a contract with Stearns and alluded to having pursued the executive for years before bringing him to the Mets, suggesting significant institutional investment in the relationship.
Former player Todd Frazier, in commentary on the decision, supported Cohen's choice to allow Stearns to continue through the season, arguing that providing stability represents sound leadership practice. "If he really believes in Stearns, this is what you should do. Give him a little peace of mind, whether you agree or not," Frazier stated, framing the retention as a matter of organizational coherence rather than purely performance-based metrics.
Cohen tempered his commitment with conditional language, acknowledging that "there's no guarantees in anything" and that he will "evaluate this as we go along," preserving optionality for future decision-making. This approach suggests Cohen is maintaining Stearns' position in the near term while reserving the right to reassess if performance metrics or other factors shift materially.
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