When David Stearns assembled a $340 million roster as the New York Mets’ president of baseball operations, the message was unmistakable: money would finally buy this franchise the success that had eluded them for decades. Yet critics are now pointing fingers directly at the architect of this expensive disappointment as the team’s astronomical payroll has failed to deliver the promised transformation into championship contenders.

The Mets’ staggering $340 million payroll reads like a who’s who of baseball’s elite, featuring Juan Soto’s massive $61 million annual salary, Francisco Lindor’s $34 million deal, and Pete Alonso’s $30 million contract. While other franchises with far smaller budgets compete for playoff positions, the Mets have stumbled through what Stearns himself admitted was an “inconsistent” season, a diplomatic way of describing what fans see as an organizational failure at the highest level.

According to the embarrassing statistics displayed in recent MLB rankings, the Mets have compiled a dismal 31-45 record since June 13, earning them the fourth-worst performance in baseball with a .408 winning percentage during this stretch. This places them behind only the Colorado Rockies (.351), Minnesota Twins (.364), and Washington Nationals (.395) in terms of futility over nearly three months. The stark contrast between financial investment and competitive results creates an uncomfortable narrative for an organization that prides itself on championship aspirations.

New York Mets Manager Carlos Mendoza remains the calm voice amid the storm, refusing to let frustration consume his team’s final push. “Look, we’ve been pretty inconsistent,” Mendoza acknowledged, whose team has lost four of its past five games, yet he maintains focus on what lies ahead rather than dwelling on missed opportunities.

In recent conversations with his players, Mendoza has delivered a simple challenge: “fight” – a rallying cry that should echo throughout the clubhouse as they battle to salvage a season that promised so much more. His measured leadership style stands in stark contrast to the mounting pressure surrounding the front office’s expensive gamble that has yet to pay dividends.

However, while Mendoza preaches patience and resilience from within the organization, the fanbase has reached its breaking point with the team’s leadership decisions.

David Stearns Faces Backlash as Mets Disappoint Fans

While Mendoza preaches resilience, frustrated fans have turned their anger toward the front office through brutal social media commentary that spares no one in the organization. The disappointment has reached a boiling point where supporters question every decision made by the current regime.

Fans unleashed years of pent-up frustration through savage online reactions that blend statistical reality with emotional devastation. “Next season they should think twice about all the pride stuff,” declared one fan, suggesting the team’s focus should return exclusively to winning baseball games rather than external initiatives. Their anger stems from a team that went from baseball’s best 45-24 record in July to posting a dismal .408 winning percentage since mid-June. Another supporter expressed disbelief at the rapid deterioration, stating, “Hard to believe how quickly things went downhill,” capturing the whiplash fans experienced watching their World Series hopes evaporate in real time.

The criticism intensified as supporters compared their expensive roster to baseball’s bottom feeders. “Finally an honest take on how bad this team is,” read one reaction, with fans appreciating the harsh reality of their team’s standing among MLB’s worst performers. The statistics tell a brutal story: the Mets’ 31-45 record since June 13 places them fourth-worst in all of baseball during that span. The embarrassment reached new depths when another user commented, “Pitiful to be on the same list as the White Sox and Rockies,” highlighting how the Mets’ massive payroll makes their poor performance even more shameful than traditionally struggling franchises.

Some fans have already begun calling for organizational changes beyond the current season. “Mendoza out at the end of the season,” was another reaction, showing how the disappointment has extended beyond front office criticism to include the field manager despite his measured approach to the team’s struggles. With the team losing four of its past five games, supporters question whether leadership changes are inevitable.

As the Mets limp toward October, their $340 million experiment serves as a costly reminder that championship aspirations cannot simply be purchased through free agency spending sprees.