Reports: Mets to Hire David Stearns as President of Baseball Operations

Well, it’s taken three years, but apparently Steven Cohen has finally gotten his man — multiple reports on Tuesday say the Mets will hire David Stearns as president of baseball operations.

The courtship of David Stearns is said to have started after Cohen bought the team following the 2020 season. However, Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio was not inclined to allow the Mets to steal his PBO, so Cohen was denied permission to talk to him. Attanasio’s control over Stearns expired on August 1, allowing Cohen to finally talk with his crush. And Cohen must have made quite an impression (cough money cough) because Stearns is now apparently ready to make the move.

For the 38-year-old Stearns, it will be a move home — he grew up here in New York rooting for the Mets. He even interned for the team after college. Legend has it that Omar Minaya wanted to hire the whiz kid, but the Wilpons would not allow it.

So Stearns comes here with a solid resume — the Brewers made the playoffs four consecutive times during his reign, but they could never get over the hump and make it to the World Series. Stearns did this with a limited, Midwest budget. What could he do with an unlimited payroll? Well, we are about to find out.

His first big decision is who will manage this team in 2024. Buck Showalter is signed for next season, but longtime Brewers manager Craig Counsell is not; will Stearns want to bring in someone with whom he is comfortable, especially after a less-than stellar season in the dugout by Showalter? We will find that out soon, too.

Anyway, the Mets have a new man in charge. A new era, if you will — just three years after the old new era began with Cohen buying the team.