Mets Hire Mendoza as Their Second Choice

Craig Counsell was destined to be the top-paid manager in baseball. Did he use the New York Mets to get there? Maybe. But the Mets made him a big offer and as a result, he was their top choice, and they didn’t land him. David Stearns learned the hard way that every move you make will be reported on. It’s a lot harder to run the Mets compared to the Milwaukee Brewers.  

Can Mendoza Succeed as Mets Manager?  

The Mets have a multitude of former employees who have taken to X to say that Mendoza will be great, which is typical of the positive PR the Mets seek. We haven’t heard from David Stearns yet, but he can’t say Mendoza was his first choice. He can say he was the next highest guy on the board, and then I would say, why? He’s been with the Yankees and Aaron Boone, and the lack of success there should worry Mets fans. Mendoza has no major league managing experience.  

Does Stearns Want to Extend Pete Alonso? 

Pete Alonso is under contract for one more season. Stearns said he expected the slugger to be on the Mets next season. Okay, but he never talked about opening extension talks. Does Alonso want to return after this year? He might not, and Stearns would know that, and that could have been something Counsell asked about. Considering the Mets are going with a new manager and hearing little hints on MLB network that the Mets could take a step back in 2024, even though they will acquire free agents, maybe the clue we are all missing, hence a new manager who can’t object if this happens and they trade Alonso. 

Stearns Not Acting Like a Big Market Boss 

The Mets are a big market team with the deepest pockets in the sport. Stearns is used to a small market mentality and not giving Counsell the highest dollar figure and hiring a cheaper manager is bad optics for a guy who is trying to win over a fan base that’s very frustrated coming off a pitiful 2023 season.  

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Shohei Ohtani Is Available 

Now, Mets fans are hoping they possibly spend absurd money to get the best all-around player in baseball. He can’t pitch in 2024, and the Mets are going after Yammamoto as well. What’s more critical to Stearns? We still have no idea but since they probably already made the bid for the Japanese pitcher, it seems. Will Stearns make the biggest offer, or will he come in the middle like he did with Counsell? That’s what we are all going to find out in the coming weeks.