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David Stearns
David Stearns
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David Stearns (born February 18, 1985) is an American baseball executive who serves as the president of baseball operations for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously served in the same role for the Milwaukee Brewers, as well as the assistant general manager of MLB's Houston Astros, worked for the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball, the Arizona Fall League, and in the baseball operations departments for the Cleveland Indians and the Mets.

Key Information

Early life

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Stearns was born and raised on the Upper East Side in Manhattan, New York City, and is Jewish.[1][2][3][4] He attended Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School.[5] He graduated from Harvard University with a degree in political science[6] in 2007. While he attended Harvard, he was a sports writer for The Harvard Crimson[7] and interned with the Pittsburgh Pirates.[8]

Professional career

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Early career

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After graduating from Harvard, Stearns worked for the baseball operations departments for the New York Mets and the Arizona Fall League.[9] He joined the MLB Central Office in 2008, where he worked on the negotiating team for MLB's collective bargaining agreement.[8][10] He spent his last 13 months in the central office as manager of labor relations, where he aided teams going through the process of salary arbitration.

Cleveland Indians

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In December 2011, the Cleveland Indians hired Stearns and Derek Falvey as their co-directors of baseball operations, with Stearns focusing on player contracts, data analysis, and strategy, and Falvey working on player acquisitions.[11]

Houston Astros

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In November 2012, the Houston Astros, who had lost over 100 games in both of the past two seasons, hired Stearns as assistant general manager, second only to Jeff Luhnow, the general manager.[9] While many organizations have multiple assistant general managers, the Astros employed only Stearns in that role.[12]

When talking about August 2015, Luhnow said of his staff: “There’s several people in our organization that have GM potential, and David’s one of them."[13] At that time, the Milwaukee Brewers began searching for a new general manager, prioritizing youth and experience with data analytics, which the Astros used in their rebuild.[13]

Milwaukee Brewers

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On September 21, 2015, the Milwaukee Brewers named Stearns their next general manager, succeeding the retiring Doug Melvin, who they announced would remain with the team in an advisory role.[14] At thirty years of age, he became the youngest general manager in MLB, one of the youngest in history, and was one year younger than the Brewers' star player Ryan Braun.[15][a] At his introductory press conference, Stearns endorsed Craig Counsell as the Brewers' manager.[16]

Stearns fired five of the Brewers' seven coaches,[17] and began to restructure the front office by reassigning Gord Ash, the assistant general manager, and Reid Nichols, the farm director within the organization,[18] and hiring Matt Arnold from the Tampa Bay Rays as assistant general manager.[19] During his first offseason as general manager, Stearns replaced half of the members of the Brewers' 40-man roster.[20] His first transactions included trading Jonathan Lucroy and acquiring Travis Shaw, Eric Thames, and Anthony Swarzak.[21]

In 2018, Stearns signed free agents Lorenzo Cain and Jhoulys Chacin, and executed the trade for Christian Yelich, who won the National League MVP in his first season as a Brewer. The Brewers were in second place in the NL Central by the MLB trade deadline, and he orchestrated moves to acquire Mike Moustakas, Curtis Granderson, Gio Gonzalez, and Jonathan Schoop. These trades bolstered the roster and put the Brewers in a position to make the playoffs. They won the division after defeating the Chicago Cubs in the 2018 National League Central tie-breaker game and beat the Colorado Rockies in the 2018 National League Division Series in three games. However, they lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2018 National League Championship Series in seven games. Yelich was named the 2018 NL MVP after the season. Stearns finished second in the MLB Executive of the Year voting but was the highest-voted NL executive.[22]

In January 2019, the Brewers signed Stearns to a contract extension and promoted him to president of baseball operations and general manager.[23] After the 2020 season, the Brewers promoted Matt Arnold to general manager, with Stearns remaining president of baseball operations.[24]

On October 27, 2022, the Brewers announced Stearns was stepping down as president of baseball operations and moving into an advisory role with ownership.[25] General Manager Matt Arnold took over baseball operations duties.[25] The move came after a disappointing Brewers season in which the club missed the playoffs for the first time in five years. On August 1, 2022, the team traded star closer Josh Hader one day before the trade deadline. At the time, Milwaukee sat in first place in the NL Central but would finish the season seven games behind the St. Louis Cardinals.[26] After they were eliminated from playoff contention on October 3, many pointed to the Hader trade as the turning point in the season. Stearns himself hinted at regretting the move in his season-ending press conference, admitting, "It had a more pronounced impact than I thought it would at the time, and the surrounding moves didn't adequately fortify the team in Josh's absence."[27]

Stearns is generally considered to have presided over one of the most successful stretches in Brewers history, guiding the organization to four consecutive playoff appearances from 2018–2021, and earned the reputation as one of the most respected executives in MLB. Following his resignation, Stearns was regularly connected to president positions with the New York Mets and Houston Astros.[28] Stearns remained under contract with the Brewers through the 2023 season.

New York Mets

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Stearns had been long-linked to the New York Mets, whom he had cheered for growing up. Team owner Steve Cohen had reached out to the Brewers on two separate occasions about a front office position, only to be rejected both times. [29]. His contract ended after the 2023 season, and after the New York Mets faced the Philadelphia Phillies in the final game of the 2023 season on October 1, 2023, team owner Steve Cohen acknowledged that the Mets had hired Stearns as president of baseball operations. He was introduced the following day; his first major move, announced on October 1, was that he was terminating manager Buck Showalter.[30] It had been speculated Stearns would reunite with former Brewers manager Craig Counsell, however, Counsell went to the Chicago Cubs; Stearns and the Mets hired New York Yankees bench coach Carlos Mendoza.[31]

Stearns planned for the 2024 season to simply be a transitional one for the Mets. However, despite a 24–35 start, the team significantly improved, with Stearns receiving a lot of credit, including endorsing Mark Vientos as the starting third baseman, who finished with 27 home runs and 71 RBIs, and promoting Jose Iglesias to the majors, who had a .337 batting average. During the offseason and regular season, Stearns was noted for making low-risk moves and not pursuing expensive free agents; however, the cheaper free agents they acquired were crucial in the Mets' turnaround.[32] The Mets finished with a record of 89–73, clinching a spot in the 2024 MLB postseason. They then advanced to the 2024 National League Division Series after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 2–1 in the 2024 National League Wild Card Series,[33] and to the 2024 National League Championship Series after beating the Philadelphia Phillies 3–1 in the Division Series.[34]

Stearns came under massive criticism for how he handled the 2025 season, both for his offseason decisions, particularly the starting rotation, and for his handling of the trade deadline. The Mets regressed from their 2024 record by six games and missed the playoffs by one game.[35]

Personal life

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Stearns is married to Whitney Ann Lee.[36][37]

Notes

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
David Stearns (born February 18, 1985) is an American executive who serves as the president of baseball operations for the of . Born and raised in , New York, Stearns developed an early interest in , interning with the in 2005 and 2006 while studying at , from which he graduated in 2007 with a degree in government. His professional career began in earnest after graduation, with roles in the in 2007 and an internship with the in 2008, followed by positions in Major League Baseball's Commissioner's Office from 2008 to 2011, where he focused on and market analysis. Stearns advanced to director of operations for the Cleveland Indians in 2012 and then served as assistant for the Houston Astros from 2013 to 2015, contributing to the team's rapid turnaround from 111 losses in 2013 to a playoff appearance in 2015. At age 30, he became the youngest in MLB history when hired by the Brewers in September 2015, later promoted to president of baseball operations in 2018, a role he held until resigning in October 2022 after leading the team to five consecutive playoff berths from 2018 to 2022, including a appearance in 2018. Following a year as an advisor to the Brewers' ownership in 2023, Stearns returned to the Mets in September 2023 as their first president of baseball operations, overseeing roster construction and strategy amid the team's efforts to contend in the . Under his leadership in 2024 and 2025, the Mets achieved competitive records but missed the in 2025, prompting Stearns to emphasize roster improvements focused on pitching and run prevention for the upcoming offseason.

Early life and education

Upbringing

David Stearns was born on February 18, 1985, in , . He grew up on Manhattan's in a family that instilled strict household rules, such as no television on weekdays and reliance on radio for news and entertainment. His parents, Rob and Susan Stearns, along with his older brother Aaron, fostered a close-knit environment where became a central bond. He attended , where his urban environment equipped him with early independence, navigating the city's transit system from a young age, such as taking the M86 bus across town to school. From an early age, Stearns developed a deep passion for as a devoted fan, influenced by his family's allegiance to the team. At age four, he attended his first game at with his father and brother, where he witnessed hit a game-winning . The family maintained a Saturday ticket plan, allowing regular visits to the stadium, where Stearns often watched from the mezzanine or field level seats. Born just 20 months before the Mets' victory, he has no personal memory of that championship but absorbed the highs and lows of the team's performance through family discussions and radio broadcasts. This environment, combined with informal play like "pillow ball" in his bedroom—throwing a baseball into cushions to simulate pitching—and wiffle ball games at , honed his analytical approach to the sport while instilling a skeptical perspective on fandom shaped by the city's fast-paced rhythm. He later took the 7 train to during his internship there.

Harvard years

David Stearns attended from 2003 to 2007, where he pursued a in . His time at Harvard marked the beginning of his deep engagement with and , blending his academic studies with hands-on involvement in sports. During his undergraduate years, Stearns served as a sports reporter for , covering games and other athletic events, which sharpened his ability to analyze team strategies and player performances. This role not only allowed him to chronicle Harvard's sports scene but also fostered his early interest in the quantitative aspects of the game, as he dissected statistics and trends in his articles. Stearns also participated in junior varsity , gaining practical experience on the field that complemented his journalistic pursuits and deepened his understanding of the sport's nuances. He engaged in various campus activities tied to , including contributing to team coverage and building networks among fellow enthusiasts. His initial professional exposure to baseball came through internships during his Harvard tenure, including a summer position with the ' Single-A affiliate, the in 2004, and internships in baseball operations with the in 2005 and 2006, which introduced him to front-office operations. Motivated by his childhood fandom of the Mets, these experiences solidified his career path in administration just before his 2007 graduation.

Professional career

Early career

Upon graduating from in 2007 with a in , David Stearns secured his first post-college role as a baseball operations intern with the in 2008. Working under general manager at , he gained initial exposure to professional scouting and front-office decision-making, commuting daily from his hometown area. That same year, Stearns transitioned to a full-time position in the Commissioner's Office, where he served as manager of until 2011. In this role, he contributed to the negotiation team for the league's agreement, reviewed player contracts, and supported proceedings, building a comprehensive understanding of MLB's operational rules, labor markets, and economic structures. During these early professional years, Stearns honed foundational skills in for player and the basics of contract negotiation.

Cleveland Indians

In December 2011, the Cleveland Indians hired David Stearns as co-director of baseball operations alongside , reporting to general manager . Stearns' responsibilities centered on player contracts, , and analytical , building on his prior experience in Major League Baseball's Commissioner's Office where he handled and matters. During the 2012 season, Stearns contributed to the front office's inclusive decision-making process, which emphasized integrating data-driven into traditional and player assessment workflows. This approach supported ongoing player evaluations and informed trade negotiations, helping to refine the team's roster strategies amid a challenging 68-94 campaign. His analytical focus aligned with the Indians' emerging emphasis on quantitative methods to enhance and identify undervalued talent. After one full season, Stearns departed in November 2012 to join the Astros as assistant , concluding his tenure with the Indians after less than a year in the role.

Houston Astros

In November 2012, David Stearns was hired as assistant of the Astros under Jeff , marking his first high-level front-office role in . In this position, Stearns assisted with baseball operations, including contract negotiations, salary analysis, team strategy, and roster management, contributing to the organization's shift toward a data-driven approach during a period of intentional rebuilding. Stearns played a key role in the Astros' "Moneyball"-style rebuild, which emphasized advanced analytics and systematic player evaluation to overhaul a struggling franchise. He helped implement enhanced analytics frameworks and player development systems that fostered organizational alignment from ownership through scouting and coaching, transforming the team's farm system into a top-10 operation by 2015. These efforts were instrumental in the Astros' rapid improvement, progressing from a franchise-worst 51 wins and 111 losses in 2013 to 70 wins in 2014 and a 86-76 record in 2015 that secured a Wild Card berth—their first postseason appearance since 2005. The foundational work during this era, including strategic drafting and international signings, laid the groundwork for the core roster that propelled the Astros to the 2017 World Series title. Stearns contributed to the 2013 MLB Draft, which selected future stars like outfielder Kyle Tucker and pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. Notable among Stearns' oversight was the player development pathway for Carlos Correa, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 MLB Draft, whom Stearns helped nurture through the minors following his arrival. Under the revamped systems, Correa debuted in June 2015 and quickly emerged as a cornerstone, earning Rookie of the Year honors with a .279 , 22 home runs, and strong defensive play at . Specific trades and signings under Stearns' involvement, such as acquiring Jake Marisnick in a 2014 deal with the , further bolstered the roster's depth and speed during the transition to contention.

Milwaukee Brewers

David Stearns was appointed as the general manager of the Milwaukee Brewers on September 21, 2015, at the age of 30, making him one of the youngest individuals to hold the position in Major League Baseball history. He succeeded Doug Melvin, who transitioned to an advisory role, and inherited a team with a 63-86 record and a depleted farm system ranked near the bottom of MLB. Stearns quickly focused on rebuilding through player development, international scouting, and cost-conscious acquisitions, drawing on his prior experience with analytics-driven strategies from the Houston Astros to adapt to the Brewers' small-market constraints. Under Stearns' leadership, the Brewers transformed into consistent contenders, winning National League Central division titles in 2018 and 2021 while securing four consecutive playoff appearances from 2018 to 2021. The team's success stemmed from a multifaceted rebuilding approach that emphasized drafting and developing homegrown talent, such as outfielder Christian Yelich—acquired via trade—and pitcher Corbin Burnes, who emerged as a 2021 National League Cy Young Award winner after being selected in the fourth round of the 2016 MLB Draft. A pivotal move was the January 25, 2018, trade acquiring Yelich from the Miami Marlins in exchange for outfield prospect Lewis Brinson, infielder Isan Diaz, and pitchers Monte Harrison and Jordan Yamamoto, which bolstered the lineup and contributed to Yelich's 2018 NL MVP season. Stearns integrated advanced analytics into roster construction, player evaluation, and pitching development—such as building an early pitching lab in Arizona—to enable sustained contention without exceeding the competitive balance tax threshold. Stearns' tenure concluded after seven seasons when he stepped down as president of baseball operations on October 27, 2022, citing a personal need for a break from the demands of the role. He remained with the organization in a brief advisory capacity to ownership through 2023 before departing fully. During his time, the Brewers achieved 554 regular-season wins, a .536 , and established a model of efficient, analytics-informed operations that maximized limited resources.

New York Mets

David Stearns was hired as the president of baseball operations for the on , 2023, marking his return to the organization in his hometown of after taking a following his tenure with the Milwaukee Brewers. His appointment, on a five-year contract, positioned him as the first to hold that title in Mets history, with owner Steve Cohen citing Stearns' proven track record of building competitive teams through analytics and player development as a key factor in the decision. In his first offseason, Stearns focused on bolstering the starting rotation with short-term, high-upside signings, including a two-year deal for pitcher and a one-year deal for pitcher , both acquired as reclamation projects to provide depth and potential stability at a combined cost of around $41 million. These moves contributed to a resurgent 2024 season, where the Mets earned a National League Wild Card spot, defeated the Brewers in the Wild Card Series 2-1, and advanced to the before falling to the Dodgers in six games. The 2025 campaign, however, proved disappointing for Stearns' Mets, who entered the season with a league-high exceeding $341 million but finished with an 83-79 record, missing the after a final-day 4-0 loss to the Marlins that eliminated them from contention. Manaea and Severino, key contributors in 2024, both declined qualifying offers and entered free agency, prompting roster reevaluation amid the team's late-season fade from wild-card contention. As the 2025-26 unfolded, Stearns adopted a measured approach to free agency, expressing reluctance to overpay for despite his value to the lineup, while insiders projected a higher likelihood of re-signing closer to anchor the bullpen, potentially on a multi-year deal valued around $80 million. To address offensive needs post-playoff miss, the Mets intensified international scouting efforts, emerging as frontrunners to sign Japanese slugger after his November 7 posting by the Yakult Swallows, drawn to his elite power potential despite injury concerns in 2025. These adjustments reflected Stearns' broader philosophy of prioritizing run prevention through pitching and defense in a big-market environment, a shift from the resource-constrained strategies he employed in by leveraging short-term fliers and data-driven evaluations to maximize impact without excessive long-term commitments.

Personal life

Family

David Stearns is married to Whitney Ann Lee, whom he met during his tenure with the Astros at a party hosted by team owner . The couple married in January 2017. Their first child, daughter Nora Ann Stearns, was born on October 3, 2018, the day before Game 1 of the Milwaukee Brewers' against the Colorado Rockies. During Stearns' sabbatical from baseball in 2023, he and Lee welcomed their second child. This break from professional demands allowed Stearns to spend more with his wife and young children. Lee supported Stearns during key career transitions, including attending his introductory as president of baseball operations for the on October 2, 2023.

Interests and residence

David Stearns, a lifelong fan of the , grew up on the of , where he developed a deep connection to the team by listening to games on his as a child despite his parents' preference for the Yankees. His fandom extended to attending key games, such as the 1999 NLDS and , and idolizing players like , , and . This personal tie to New York influenced his career trajectory, leading him to intern with the Mets in during his early professional years and ultimately return to the area in 2023 upon being hired as president of baseball operations. Stearns' residences reflect his career moves, beginning with his childhood home in before relocating to in 2015 upon joining the Brewers organization. In 2016, he purchased a Victorian-style home in 's Prospect Hill neighborhood for $600,000, where he lived during his tenure as and president of baseball operations. Following his departure from the Brewers in 2023, he sold the property in April 2024. As of 2025, Stearns resides in the New York area, aligning with his role leading the Mets. Beyond baseball, Stearns maintains interests in other sports, particularly as a devoted fan who grew up following their playoff runs on the radio and remains an "absolutely, completely" irrational supporter, often watching games at home after his children are asleep. He also follows the . During his 2023 sabbatical as a for the Brewers, Stearns embraced family-oriented activities that enhanced his personal downtime, including grilling outdoors and taking trips. His broader affinity for stems from his academic background in government at Harvard and early career explorations, though it primarily informs his professional life.

References

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