David Stearns, Mets have 'plenty of time' to weigh trades - ESPN

NEW YORK — With his team sinking in the standings, New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Tuesday he will continue to practice patience before deciding whether to keep the roster intact for a postseason push or sell off veterans at the July 30 trade deadline.

«Generally, the trade deadline becomes an inflection point in the season,» Stearns said, «and we've got plenty of time before that.»

The Mets entered Tuesday's doubleheader against the Los Angeles Dodgers with a 22-30 record, 14.5 games behind the first-place Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East and 4.5 games from the third NL Wild Card spot. They had lost 10 of their last 13 games and were 11-22 since catcher Francisco Álvarez tore a ligament in his left thumb last month.

All that losing despite carrying the most expensive payroll in Major League Baseball at over $300 million.

«We haven't played like a playoff team,» Stearns said. «And I think that's the reality of how we've played here through the first 50 games. That doesn't mean we won't, but we've got to show it and I think we have a group of players that is very committed to that goal. That is determined to play better. But until we show it, it's a reasonable question.»

Stearns was hired last September. He inherited an expensive roster finishing up a disappointing season that included trading future Hall of Famers Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander at the trade deadline.

The Mets' struggles stem from their core players underperforming or not playing at all.

Right-hander Kodai Senga, an All-Star and NL Rookie of the Year runner-up last season, was shut down with a shoulder injury during spring training and hasn't thrown a pitch in 2024. He's unlikely to return before the