As Alex Smith of SNY mentioned, “chemistry” within the New York Mets’ clubhouse became a talking point throughout an offseason that featured president of baseball operations David Stearns dismantling the core of the club’s roster.
While speaking with reporters on Monday, Stearns addressed what he has seen from Mets players during spring training.
Are Mets players working harder than they did in the spring of 2025?
“I think guys are getting after it, and that’s been good to see,” Stearns explained. “We have a very focused group in there. As I mentioned earlier, the work has been really quality on the field, and that’s something you don’t see every spring. I think we have a group that is actively trying to get better every single day, and that can be somewhat unique with a team full of veterans. That’s not often the case.”
Outsiders may never fully understand why the Mets parted ways with outfielder Brandon Nimmo, closer Edwin Diaz, fan-favorite first baseman Pete Alonso and utility man Jeff McNeil after the club endured a brutal collapse en route to missing the playoffs in 2025. Since last fall, multiple stories have emerged claiming that clubhouse issues played at least some part in why Stearns made decisions he knows remain quite unpopular among members of the fan base.
Stearns replaced familiar faces in the clubhouse with third baseman Bo Bichette, second baseman Marcus Semien, first baseman Jorge Polanco, center fielder Luis Robert Jr., ace Freddy Peralta and relievers Devin Williams and Luke Weaver. Meanwhile, big-spending Mets owner Steve Cohen admitted back in February that he is “absolutely annoyed” that he hasn’t yet ended the franchise’s championship drought that began following the 1986 World Series.
Thus, one can’t help but wonder how Cohen may react if Stearns’ moves blow up in the executive’s face later this year.
David Stearns likes what he has seen from new-look Mets
“A lot of times you come to spring training with a veteran team and everyone’s really just got Opening Day circled and is just counting down the days until Opening Day,” Stearns continued. “I think what we’ve felt here is guys are taking every single day seriously. They’re going out, they’re getting their work in, they’re working very well with our coaching staff, and it’s been very good to see.”
History suggests the current Mets squad will get along with each other just fine if the club wins more than it loses through the end of September. Stearns had better hope that’s the case, or else he could find himself having an uncomfortable conversation with Cohen this coming fall.