Mets exec David Stearns: No 'mulligans' on Pete Alonso exit - ESPN

NEW YORK — David Stearns doesn't get a do-over. He knows that all too well.

One day after the New York Mets finished last in the National League East for the first time in 23 years, the team's embattled president of baseball operations was asked a pointed question.

Knowing what he knows now, would he have taken a full swing at re-signing Pete Alonso?

«I think that's a very fair question. The truth is in this job, I don't get mulligans,» Stearns said Monday. «I also recognize Pete had a tremendous year. And the totality of our production at first base wasn't good enough.»

When the Mets didn't attempt to retain Alonso in free agency last fall, their homegrown franchise home run leader bolted for a five-year, $155 million contract with Baltimore as Stearns focused on improving the pitching and defense instead.

«I think I'll retire the phrase 'run prevention,'» Stearns said with a grin. «I don't know that that one worked particularly well.»

Alonso topped the American League with 43 homers and 113 RBIs, playing in every game for the third consecutive season as the 31-year-old slugger became the first player in major league history to win an RBI crown in both leagues.

New York, meanwhile, never recovered from a 12-game losing streak in April. Despite a record $358 million payroll when the season began, the Mets struggled badly at the plate, were mediocre on the mound and finished 74-88 for their worst mark since 2017.

«This past weekend that we just experienced in Washington, where you are literally playing out the string, it's miserable. That is a miserable experience for players, for coaches, for executives,» Stearns said during a 33-minute news conference at Citi Field to wrap up the season.

«I think we have an