It’s crunch time in Queens, and Mets fans are on the edge of their seats, holding their breath as the Pete Alonso saga drags on. Meanwhile, the Mets front office, led by David Stearns, is keeping their cards close to the vest. Sure, there’s still plenty of room in the budget, but as the days tick away, the pressure is mounting to make a move. The question is: will the Mets make a move for their star slugger, or will they stand firm and trust their new approach?

Enter the radio host, who’s stepping up to defend Stearns and Cohen. While the fan base is throwing virtual tomatoes at the team’s decision-makers, this host is asking the big question: why aren’t we trusting the brains behind the operation? Yes, Alonso is a fan favorite. Yes, his home runs are a thing of legend, and no, nobody wants to see him in another uniform—especially not one in the Bronx. But Stearns and Cohen are not just trying to win this year; they’re trying to build a sustainable, championship-contending team.  

Steve Cohen’s record shows the Mets fans should trust him  

Sal Licata commented on the Mets fans who are mad with Steve Cohen and David Stearns, about Pete Alonso’s potential exit from Queens: “I don’t understand the lack of trust, by some of you, in Steve Cohen & David Stearns.” Licata says Cohen has shown time and time again that “winning is a priority.” That’s true, Cohen doesn’t just talk about a big game—he acts on it. Remember when he took Juan Soto away from the Yankees, pulling off a trade that stunned the baseball world?  Then there’s David Stearns. The man who has a proven track record in Milwaukee, turning a small-market team into a perennial contender.   

Last year only, Stearns led them to an NLCS appearance, proving that the vision he’s instilling in New York is already paying off. As for Pete Alonso, Licata understands the sting of potentially losing him. “I know it hurts to potentially lose Alonso, but the Mets made him an offer, more than fair market value. He said no so they appear to be moving on.” It’s tough, no doubt, but the Mets can’t afford to wait forever on a player who’s not ready to commit. While the club did not re-sign the ‘Polar Bear’, they did however sign another player.

The New York Mets have officially announced the re-signing of outfielder Jesse Winker  

On a one-year contract worth $7.5 million, which included a $1 million signing bonus, the team signed Jesse Winker. Performance-based incentives totaling up to $1.5 million are also included in the deal. After several seasons marred by injuries, Winker, who is represented by Excel Sports Management, will have the opportunity to demonstrate his complete health upon his return to Queens. Winker, who is 31 years old, has recently been on the road to recovery.  

After enduring knee and spinal surgeries during the 2022-23 offseason, Winker spent much of the previous two years struggling to regain his form. In 2022, his numbers with the Mariners were disappointing, posting just a .219/.344/.344 slash line, hindered by those injuries. His 2023 season with the Brewers was equally tough, with a lackluster .199/.320/.247 performance that raised concerns about his future. However, 2024 marked a significant rebound for Winker. After signing a minor league deal with the Nationals, he showed signs of returning to his old self, posting a solid .257/.374/.419 line in 379 plate appearances before being traded to the Mets at the deadline in exchange for minor league righty Tyler Stuart.  

In his final 129 plate appearances, Winker recorded a decent but diminished.243/.318/.365 line, making his tenure in New York more of a mixed bag. Winker appeared to regain his peak performance in October. In 32 plate appearances throughout the postseason, he slashed an outstanding.318/.531/.636. The Mets appear to have been persuaded by his late surge that he can still have a big impact, even if it is only as a bench option or depth piece.