Mets honcho David Stearns continually emphasizes the need to improve “run prevention,” which makes sense following a disastrous 2025 season, when their fielding was below average and their pitching imploded.

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From here, pitching was the bigger issue. But Mets higher-ups seem especially dissatisfied with the defense. The Mets were 15th and 21st in defensive runs saved and outs above average, which isn’t great (but not much worse than Philly, who ranked 17th and 15th, respectively).

Here are my thoughts on what might be done about the defense (The pitching issue requires more space than I have here).

• Is Pete Alonso coming back again? That could become a Steve Cohen vs. Stearns discussion again, with Cohen in favor and Stearns somewhat less in favor. Alonso had a much better overall season, but one Mets official predicted, “I think someone else will snatch him up.” Alonso should do much better in free agency this year, without a qualifying offer and the draft-pick compensation attached to it, but his defensive metrics aren’t great (minus-9 outs above average, though he’s great on scoops, which don’t factor in). But how do you replace the club’s all-time home run hitter who also happens to be right-handed when you’re lefty heavy? One extra thought: Alonso loves playing 1B and works at it, but would he consider DHing?