The Mets Preached Run Prevention. So What Happened?
When David Stearns spoke earlier this offseason, the message was clear: run prevention was going to be the backbone of the 2026 New York Mets. He didn’t hedge, didn’t leave room for interpretation. Defense, pitching, run prevention - that was the plan.
And then came the Bo Bichette signing.
Bichette, an electric bat to be sure, has never been known for his glove. In fact, he’s long been considered one of the league’s most suspect defenders at a premium position. So how does that square with the vision Stearns laid out just weeks earlier?
Let’s unpack what’s really going on here - and what it tells us about the Mets’ offseason strategy.
The “Run Prevention” Offseason That Wasn’t
If you’re building a team around run prevention, you’d expect a few things: a fortified rotation, elite defense up the middle, and a bullpen that can lock down close games. The Mets did make some moves that fit that mold - trading for Marcus Semien, a strong defensive second baseman, and adding two quality relievers in Devin Williams and Luke Weaver.
But let’s not ignore the other side of the ledger. They let Brandon Nimmo go, a steady presence in center field.
Edwin Díaz is gone. Left field remains a question mark.
And the corner infield - as of now - is a massive unknown, with only one combined game of MLB experience between the two projected starters.
This doesn’t scream “run prevention.” In fact, it looks more like a team pivoting toward a different identity - one that might need to win games 7-5 instead of 3-2.
So was run prevention ever truly the plan?
A Convenient Narrative?
There’s a case to be made that the run prevention message was less a blueprint and more a sales pitch - a way to frame some difficult decisions. Trading Nimmo and potentially letting Pete Alonso walk were always going to be tough pills for fans to swallow. Framing those moves around a renewed focus on defense and run prevention gave them a cleaner narrative.
But then came the curveballs - like Bichette, and earlier in the offseason, Kyle Tucker. These were high-upside, opportunistic swings.
And when those kinds of players become available, plans shift. That’s the reality of roster-building in today’s game.
It’s also possible there were internal dynamics at play. The Mets’ clubhouse has been under the microscope during multiple underwhelming seasons.
And while we may never get the full story, it’s telling that both Nimmo and Alonso - two long-tenured Mets - were often linked to the team’s defensive shortcomings. Moving on from them may have been as much about culture reset as it was about run prevention.
Was the Vision Ever Realistic?
Here’s the hard truth: building a team solely around run prevention in one offseason is a tall order - especially when your right fielder is Juan Soto, a generational bat who’s never been confused for a Gold Glover.
The idea of a full-scale defensive overhaul was always going to be more of a long-term project than a one-winter fix. You don’t just flip a switch and become the 2015 Royals overnight.
And some of the Mets’ moves suggest they know that. They’re not abandoning defense entirely, but they’re also not letting it dictate every decision. Bichette and Jorge Polanco, both middle infielders by trade, may end up playing corner spots - a curious move if run prevention is your guiding light.
So Where Does That Leave the Mets?
Right now, the Mets look like a team in transition - not tanking, not rebuilding, but certainly not fully committed to one clear identity. They’ve made some defensive upgrades.
They’ve also taken some big swings on offense. And they’ve left a few glaring holes on the roster.
If run prevention was the campaign slogan, the actual governing looks a lot more balanced - or muddled, depending on your perspective.
The truth is, Stearns and the front office probably went into the offseason with a general direction, not a rigid plan. When the opportunity to land a player like Bichette presented itself, they adjusted.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Flexibility is crucial in today’s MLB landscape.
But it does mean we should stop expecting a defense-first Mets team in 2026. That ship may have sailed - or maybe it never really left the dock.