It’s February, which means the Mets are gearing up for another season of spring training, and David Stearns, their ever-calm president of baseball operations, is front and center. Stearns took to the podium for his first press availability of the 2025 spring season, and while he was all smiles about Pete Alonso’s return, the conversation turned quickly to the tough competition ahead, both within the NL East and the rest of the league.
First, the big news: Pete Alonso, the Mets’ slugging first baseman, is back in the fold. While the negotiation dragged on a bit longer than many fans (and, let's face it, Stearns himself) would have liked, Stearns is thrilled to have Alonso back in the blue and orange. "We’re thrilled to have Pete back. I think Pete is thrilled to be back," Stearns said, recalling their pivotal meeting in Tampa with Alonso, his agent, Scott Boras, and Mets owner Steve Cohen. “We just wanted to make sure Pete knew we wanted him back. And I think Pete wanted to make sure we knew he wanted to be back. It’s all about hearing each other out.”
As for what got it done in the end, Stearns didn’t sugarcoat the reality of free agency. “It’s a long process. Free agency is weird, man. And it’s tough to predict. Pete earned the right to evaluate all his options, and we were certainly active in looking at different players ourselves. But in the end, we both felt this was the right resolution.”
When asked about the reported friction in negotiations, particularly Cohen’s very public frustration at Amazin' Day, Stearns was clear: "What Steve said was authentic. There were disagreements, but we kept working through them. And ultimately, we got to a good place. You can’t always expect it to be smooth sailing."
That "good place" came with a short-term deal, something both sides could live with. “The AAV and the length of the deal were key. Both sides had their objectives, but in the end, it’s the right fit.”
There’s no denying Alonso's impact on the Mets' offense. Stearns has never wavered on the fact that Alonso’s presence makes the team better. "Pete makes us a better team. There’s no question about it," Stearns said, a sentiment echoed by fans and analysts alike. “I know there’s been a lot of chatter about traditional sluggers, but Pete’s proven himself. He’s been consistent. He’s motivated. And that’s exactly the kind of player we want.”
Despite some concerns about Alonso’s down season in 2024 (at least by his lofty standards), Stearns isn’t sweating it. "He’s motivated. He’s driven to get back to that elite level. And you can see it in his eyes. He’s ready." Stearns also brushed off the idea that Alonso’s free agency drama weighed on him last season. “I never got the sense that contractual stuff impacted him. He’s always played under pressure in New York. That’s what we’re getting with Pete.”
So, now that Alonso is back, is the offseason complete? Not quite. Stearns acknowledged that there’s always room for improvement, but it’s looking like the Mets are set with their roster heading into 2025. "We’re always in conversations, but we feel really good about the team we have," Stearns said, although he left the door open for possible additions throughout the season. "We’ll continue to work to get better."
One thing Stearns is certain about is the tough road ahead in the NL East. "The Braves and Phillies are really good. We have a ton of respect for them," he said. "But we think we’re a really good team too, and we have to go out there and perform. This division’s a battle."
The Mets won’t back down, but Stearns is realistic about the competition. “The Braves are going to win more games than they did last year. The Phillies are going to be highly motivated again. So, we know what we’re up against, and we’re excited for the challenge."
Now, let's address the one player who won't be suiting up for the Mets in 2025: José Iglesias. After some serious speculation that Iglesias could help fill a utility role, it seems the Mets are moving in a different direction. "For that role, we want to keep some flexibility for our younger players," Stearns explained. "We learned last year that freezing your position player roster doesn’t always work. We need to keep avenues open, and that’s why we decided to move on from Iglesias."
All in all, Stearns gave fans a lot to be hopeful about. The Alonso deal is done. The roster is set (for now). The Mets are still very much in the mix in the NL East, and Stearns seems ready for the grind ahead.
And with that, we head into spring training knowing that, while the offseason may have been full of twists and turns, the real work begins now. The Mets are coming for the Braves and Phillies—and they’re coming with a whole lot of Pete Alonso power.
Mark it down: the race for the NL East is on, and the Mets are all in.
Here is the complete press conference: