David Stearns' Mets Hot Seat Updated by Steve Cohen Amid MLB Rumors on Exec's Future

The New York Mets apparently aren't considering parting ways with president of baseball operations David Stearns after firing former manager Carlos Mendoza.

Mets owner Steve Cohen reiterated his faith in Stearns in a recent apperance on The Show podcast with the New York Post's Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman (h/t the New York Post's Justin Tasch).

"David is reflective and adaptable," Cohen said, per Tasch. "We'll figure out what changes need to be made, but it won't be David."

Stearns is signed through the 2028 campaign. Cohen told Sherman and Heyman the Mets currently plan to "live that contract out."

"We're two and a half years into a contract," Cohen said about Stearns. "Everyone forgets— does he get any credit for '24? Does that not count? We almost made it to the World Series, and that was just two years ago.

"So, it's a mixed record. I'm not going to say it's going great. But it's too early to really make evaluations."

Cohen concluded: "We'll figure out what changes need to be made, but the change that's not going to be made is moving David out at this point. I'm just not going to do it."

The Mets fired Mendoza last Friday after a 34-47 start to the 2026 season.

When asked the day of Mendoza's firing if he felt he still had Cohen's support, Stearns told SNY's Ben Krimmel: "Yes."

"Steve and I are talking on a regular basis," Stearns said, per Krimmel. "And he's certainly indicated that I have his support."

Stearns also said he has not considered stepping down from his position, per Krimmel.

Stearns had expressed confidence in Mendoza as recently as the beginning of May, but the club ultimately fired their manager after ending June on a six-game losing streak.

The Mets hired Stearns on a five-year deal in September 2023, just one month before bringing in Mendoza the following November.

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal noted Cohen "spent two years pursuing Stearns" before hiring him on a $10 million annual salary.

The Mets made it to the NLCS in the club's first season under Stearns and Mendoza, then capped off the run by signing Juan Soto in December 2024.

The club has yet to find success since then. After missing the playoffs despite boasting one of the highest payrolls in MLB in 2025, the Mets are once more on track to sit out of the postseason this fall.

For now, Stearns will remain in charge of turning things around before his current contract expires following the 2028 season.