Pete Alonso Won an RBI Title in Baltimore. David Stearns Says He Doesn't Get a Mulligan

Here's the comparison David Stearns had to face on Monday. Pete Alonso, whom the Mets let go last winter, led the American League with 43 home runs and 113 RBIs for Baltimore. Mets first basemen combined for 18 homers and a .667 OPS, third-worst at the position in baseball.

Asked whether he'd have tried harder to keep Alonso, knowing what he knows now, the Mets' president of baseball operations didn't dodge it. "The truth is in this job, I don't get mulligans," Stearns said. "I also recognize Pete had a tremendous year. And the totality of our production at first base wasn't good enough."

Alonso signed for five years and $155 million with the Orioles while Stearns spent on pitching and defense. That plan didn't work, and Stearns joked that he'd "retire the phrase 'run prevention.'" Alonso played every game for the third year in a row and became the first player to win an RBI title in both leagues.

The Mets opened the season with a record $358 million payroll and finished 74-88, last in the NL East for the first time in 23 years. A 12-game losing streak in April set the tone. Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor both missed long stretches with calf injuries, and Carlos Mendoza was fired in June.

There were some good signs late. The Mets went 27-22 after the trade deadline even after selling off players, and Andy Green got the manager's job and a three-year deal last week. Rookie outfielders Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing combined for 31 homers and 47 steals, and rookie Nolan McLean went 12-10 with a 3.16 ERA.

Stearns has a new senior adviser reporting to him, former Twins boss Derek Falvey, and holes at first base, second base, in the rotation and in the bullpen. Fans at Citi Field chanted "Fire Stearns!" the night Alonso hit his 300th career homer there for Baltimore. The offseason starts now.