How David Stearns’ pitching choices have defined his bumpy Mets tenure — and what could be next

A longtime Mets executive’s track record with developing and managing starting pitchers has grown increasingly inconsistent since his earliest tenure with the team, raising questions about his approach and long-term effectiveness in that critical area of baseball operations. While he has had notable wins, the pattern of underperformance and missed expectations among high-profile starters suggests deeper challenges in roster construction or developmental strategy. Analysts and fans alike are scrutinizing whether his methods remain viable amid persistent struggles in a position that often defines a franchise’s competitiveness. The debate over his future role hinges on whether recent trends signal a need for a fresh perspective in the organization’s pitching development.

Since his first Mets season, David Stearns’ successes with starting pitching have been fewer and farther between.