--- title: "Cohen: Stearns stays put as Mets sink deeper" description: "Owner doubles down on beleaguered president despite 36-51 record and manager purge." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/cohen-not-considering-firing-david-stearns-389bcf98 published: 2026-07-03T08:58:03.363+00:00 updated: 2026-07-03T08:58:03.363+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["motorsport"] --- # Cohen: Stearns stays put as Mets sink deeper > Owner doubles down on beleaguered president despite 36-51 record and manager purge. Steve Cohen isn’t trading David Stearns for a quick fix. The Mets owner shut down any talk of firing the club’s President of Baseball Operations, even as the team collapsed to a 36-51 record and Carlos Mendoza was dismissed as manager. Cohen framed the decision around stability, citing Stearns’ five-year contract and the franchise’s near-World Series run in 2024. In a public statement, he rejected the “burn and churn” approach, making it clear Stearns would lead the search for Mendoza’s successor. The message was blunt: the manager is the casualty, not the architect. The Mets’ front-office hierarchy now looks locked in place. Cohen’s endorsement comes with the weight of a long-term commitment, insulating Stearns from the kind of mid-season firings that have become commonplace elsewhere. The move signals that the organization’s rebuild—however rocky—won’t be derailed by short-term panic. The front office’s structure under Stearns has been a point of contention among fans and analysts alike. Critics argue that the analytical approach prioritized by Stearns has led to roster construction issues, particularly in bullpen depth and starting rotation stability. The 36-51 record suggests those concerns are now boiling over, yet Cohen’s stance indicates he’s willing to ride out the volatility rather than risk another upheaval. The timing of Cohen’s decision also reflects broader trends in MLB front offices. Teams like the Dodgers and Astros have thrived under long-term front-office leadership, while franchises that frequently fire managers often find themselves stuck in cycles of mediocrity. By keeping Stearns, Cohen is betting that continuity will eventually yield results, even if the current stretch is painful. Cohen’s stance puts the onus on Stearns to right the ship. The owner’s words carry extra weight given the team’s recent struggles, but they also underscore a bet on continuity over chaos. The Mets’ struggles under Stearns’ tenure haven’t been confined to the field. Offseason moves like the acquisition of Kodai Senga and the extensions for Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso were supposed to anchor a contending roster, but injuries and underperformance have derailed those plans. The bullpen, once a strength, has become a liability, with relievers posting a 5.12 ERA since Opening Day. Meanwhile, the starting rotation has cycled through a revolving door of pitchers, with only Kodai Senga and Justin Verlander posting ERA+ figures above league average. The Mets’ farm system, once hailed as one of the deepest in baseball, has also underdelivered. Top prospects like Ronny Mauricio and Brett Baty have struggled to replicate their minor-league success at the major-league level, while others like Jett Williams have been rushed to fill gaps in the lineup. The lack of impact from the minors has forced Stearns to rely on stopgap solutions, further exposing the front office’s roster-building flaws. Cohen’s camp confirmed the decision to reporters, framing it as a vote of confidence in the front office’s long-term plan. The statement stopped short of detailing a timeline for the managerial search, but it left no doubt about where authority now rests. What’s next: Stearns will oversee the hiring of the next Mets manager, likely wrapping up the process before the trade deadline. Cohen’s public backing suggests the front office will operate without further interference through the summer, at least until the All-Star break gives a clearer picture of the team’s trajectory. ## Why this matters Cohen’s refusal to fire Stearns defies the usual mid-season scramble to placate fan rage. By locking in the front office, he’s betting that the 2024 near-miss wasn’t a fluke and that the current struggles are fixable without a wholesale reset. The move protects the organizational identity but also ties the Mets’ fate to Stearns’ ability to execute under pressure—a gamble that could either stabilize the franchise or prolong its pain. The decision also highlights a growing divide in MLB: teams that prioritize stability over short-term fixes versus those that chase quick solutions, often at the cost of long-term progress. It forces fans and analysts to confront whether the Mets’ analytical approach is fundamentally sound or if the front office has misread the market for talent. ## Frequently asked ### Why is Steve Cohen keeping David Stearns despite the Mets’ poor record? Cohen cited Stearns’ five-year contract and the team’s 2024 near-World Series run as reasons to stay the course. He rejected the ‘burn and churn’ approach, signaling that the front office, not the manager, is the priority. ### Who will the Mets hire as their next manager? David Stearns is leading the search, but no candidates have been officially named. The process is expected to conclude before the trade deadline, with Cohen’s backing ensuring no further front-office upheaval. ### How many games have the Mets lost under Carlos Mendoza? The Mets went 36-51 under Mendoza before his firing. The team’s struggles under his leadership contributed to the decision to move on. ### Is Andy Green involved in the managerial search? Andy Green, the team’s bench coach, has not been named as a candidate for the managerial role. His involvement in the search process has not been confirmed. ### What does this mean for the Mets’ trade deadline plans? With Stearns in charge and a new manager on the way, the Mets’ front office is expected to operate with continuity through the deadline. Cohen’s endorsement suggests no major front-office shakeups before July. ### How does this decision compare to other MLB teams’ mid-season moves? Most MLB teams fire managers or front-office executives amid poor performance, but Cohen’s stance mirrors the approach of teams like the Dodgers and Astros, which prioritize long-term stability over reactive changes. ## Sources & Citations - [Cohen: Not Considering Firing David Stearns](https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/07/cohen-not-considering-firing-david-stearns.html) — MLB Trade Rumors (2026-07-02) --- Cite: Cohen: Stearns stays put as Mets sink deeper. Sportopod, 2026-07-03. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/cohen-not-considering-firing-david-stearns-389bcf98