Mets bring pitcher back early in offseason

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New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns devastated and enraged many fans by removing a large portion of the team’s soul last offseason. People used his reluctance to invest long term in beloved first baseman Pete Alonso as an indictment of the executive’s analytics-driven strategy, but he helped plant a significant part of the Milwaukee Brewers’ foundation — the one that just lifted the franchise to its first-ever World Series title. The Flushing Faithful can only hope he makes a similar impact on the Mets. He is beginning his fourth offseason at the helm with a minor move that is unlikely to shift public opinion.

But perhaps it can still yield positive results. New York is re-signing right-handed pitcher Robert Stock to a one-year split contract, per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. The veteran hurler, who will turn 37 years old later this month, posted a 5.93 ERA with 29 strikeouts and a .297 batting average against in 30 1/3 innings last season.

The Mets dismantled their bullpen ahead of the trade deadline and could struggle to repair the unit before the new campaign begins. Though, Stack actually occupied a place in their staring rotation during the final stretch of the year. Expecting an aging and struggling pitcher to join a turnaround effort may be wishful thinking, but this specific one did exhibit flashes of impressive form.

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The 2009 second-round draft pick pitched 5 1/3 shutout innings versus the Tampa Bay Rays on Aug. 31, recorded another quality start against the Miami Marlins and tossed an adequate 4 1/3 innings each versus the San Diego Padres and Washington Nationals. Unfortunately, he also surrendered a combined 15 runs to the Brewers and Pittsburgh Pirates in the same month.

Robert Stock struggled with control, walking 10.2 percent of the batters he faced in 2026. Stearns wants a little more time with him, though. The Mets are highly dependent on homegrown arms like Nolan McLean, Christian Scott, Zac Thornton and Jonah Tong, but they must stumble on a hidden gem or two as well.