The New York Mets find themselves at a familiar crossroads — one that tests not only their wallet but their philosophy. On one side stands Steve Cohen, baseball’s wealthiest owner and an unapologetic fan of the franchise he now controls. On the other is David Stearns, a calculated, efficiency-obsessed architect who has long preferred precision over emotion.
Together, they’re trying to build a sustainable winner. But the question now looming over Citi Field is simple: can that approach coexist with the heart of the team, Pete Alonso?
The Power and the Principle
Stearns’ reputation precedes him. In Milwaukee, he turned a small-market club into a perennial contender by squeezing value from every dollar and avoiding the kind of long, risky contracts that so often cripple teams later. He’s disciplined, methodical, and allergic to sentimentality. That works perfectly — until a player like Alonso forces you to consider breaking your own rules.
Alonso is no ordinary slugger. He’s a franchise cornerstone, a fan favorite, and now a free agent again after opting out of his deal. He’s also the Mets’ all-time home run leader, having launched 38 more this season while posting a 141 wRC+ and a career-best .399 xwOBA. The numbers don’t lie: Alonso still terrifies pitchers, still changes games with one swing, and still represents the kind of power that’s hard to replace.
The Business of Baseball
But Stearns doesn’t think with his heart — he thinks in margins, risk curves, and opportunity costs. According to a report from Pat Ragazzo of Mets on SI, an NL scout said the Mets might not be eager to hand Alonso the kind of deal he’s seeking. “The expectation,” Ragazzo wrote, “is that the Mets will float Jeff McNeil on the trade market and let Pete Alonso walk in free agency unless he takes a team-friendly deal.”
That’s the line that stings. Because everyone knows Alonso isn’t going to settle this time. After taking a short-term pact last winter, he’s earned the right to seek long-term security — and he’s not wrong to do it. But from Stearns’ perspective, investing heavily in a slugger entering his 30s, one who offers little defensive or baserunning value, runs counter to everything he’s built his career on.
The Human Element
Still, there’s a heartbeat to this story that numbers can’t capture. Alonso isn’t just a stat line; he’s the pulse of the clubhouse, the emotional leader who bridges the gap between the veterans and the fans. You don’t easily replace that kind of presence. The Mets have spent years searching for an identity that resonates beyond payroll figures, and Alonso — fiery, loyal, and unapologetically blue-collar — embodies it better than anyone.
If Cohen wants to build more than a spreadsheet-perfect contender, he may need to let his passion override Stearns’ pragmatism. Championships aren’t just engineered; they’re built on belief and continuity. Alonso provides both.
The Dilemma Ahead
So here lies the Mets’ dilemma. Do they stay true to Stearns’ calculated, future-focused model, or do they reward the man who’s given them power, personality, and pride? Letting Alonso walk might look rational on paper, but baseball is human, unpredictable, and deeply emotional — and that’s what makes decisions like this so hard.
For the Mets, the answer could define the next era of their franchise. Maybe Stearns should make his first big exception. Because sometimes, keeping the heart of the team is worth more than any metric can measure.