David Stearns discusses what Mets are still looking for this offseason
With pitchers and catchers just a few weeks away, the Mets still have some work to do to fill out their roster.
Speaking with the media Wednesday to introduce Luis Severino and Harrison Bader, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns was asked about the current roster and if there are holes that still need to be filled.
With the additions of Severino, Sean Manaea and Adrian Houser this offseason, Stearns said that the team will look to continue to add arms, but they’ll be judicious about it.
“You’re never finished [adding] especially when you’re talking about starting pitching,” Stearns said over Zoom. “We’re going to be on the lookout for ways to improve, ways to get better, ways to add.
"We made some significant progress. I like the three arms we added to our starting rotation. We’ll continue to look. I don’t know if there is going to be another acquisition of significance to the rotation before the start of spring training, but we have got to keep our eyes open and stay involved.”
While the starting rotation seems to be sewn up, Stearns said that they remain active in a number of markets but the bullpen is an area of need the first-year Mets GM is looking to improve.
“There’s no perfect team and we’re not perfect,” he said. “We’re going to stay involved across the board. Specifically, we’re looking at the pen, that’s not a surprise to anyone. Finding ways to solidify our bullpen makes sense."
But what about the offense? With Ronny Mauricio likely to miss all of the 2024 season, leaving third base and the designated hitter spots in flux, Stearns didn’t shut down the idea that the Mets will sign a bat.
However, he doesn’t believe it to be necessary to add an offensive bat as he sees viable internal options but will keep an eye on the market.
“We’re still evaluating and we’ll see what becomes available,” Stearns explained. “I wouldn’t necessarily close the door on that but I don’t think it’s essential. We do have young players who we make sure have significant at-bats. … We haven’t made a firm decision on that one yet. It’s still to be determined and we’re still discussing.”
Stearns continued to talk up the Mets’ young prospects and intimated that some in the farm system can help fill the holes in the roster, whether it’s on offense or in the pitching department.
“I’m excited by the number of upper-level pitching prospects we have and the number of guys who continue to get their feet wet in the major leagues this year or guys who can make their major league debut.
"I always want more starting pitching...but I'm also excited over the course of the year to see some of our younger pitchers take that next step in their development and get to the major league level and give them an opportunity to have success here."
