David Stearns is facing an increasingly important challenge with the New York Mets: rebuilding trust with a fan base that has become increasingly frustrated with the direction of the organization. The anger reached another level when Pete Alonso returned to Citi Field as a member of the Baltimore Orioles and celebrated his 300th career home run in front of the same fans who once viewed him as one of the faces of the franchise. While many supporters applauded Alonso’s milestone, chants of “Fire Stearns” also echoed around the ballpark, reflecting the lingering frustration over the decision that ultimately led to the longtime Mets slugger leaving New York.
Stearns’ job security does not appear to be an immediate concern. Mets owner Steve Cohen has publicly backed his baseball operations president, meaning the organization is not currently signaling a change at the top of the front office. But continued support from ownership does not automatically solve the relationship between Stearns and the fan base. The Mets still have to convince supporters that the organization has learned from its handling of Alonso and that future homegrown stars will receive a different level of commitment.
One potential way to begin repairing that relationship could involve Carson Benge, one of the most encouraging young players to emerge for the Mets this season. Rather than waiting several years to determine whether Benge can become a cornerstone, the Mets could explore an early-career contract extension that would keep the promising outfielder under team control for a significant portion of his prime. Such a move would not erase the Alonso decision, but it could send a clear message about how the organization intends to handle its next generation of players.
Benge has given the Mets plenty of reasons to consider the possibility. Although he has not emerged as the leading favorite for National League Rookie of the Year, his rookie season has been impressive. His development has been particularly noticeable in the second half, when his defensive performance has taken a significant step forward. Offensively, he has continued to show a combination of power, speed and extra-base ability that gives the Mets a potentially valuable long-term piece.
At the time of the original report, Benge was just two home runs and one double away from reaching a rare statistical combination of 20 homers, 20 doubles and 20 stolen bases. His second-half offensive production has also improved, with his OPS after the All-Star break nearly 50 points higher than his first-half mark. Those numbers suggest that Benge has not simply survived his first major-league season; he has continued to adjust as opposing pitchers have gained more information about him.
That development could make the timing of a potential extension particularly interesting. MLB teams have increasingly attempted to secure young players early, sometimes before those players reach their arbitration years. The strategy can provide players with financial security while giving clubs cost certainty and potentially retaining important players through multiple seasons of their prime. The Mets have not been among the most aggressive teams in pursuing that type of deal, but Benge could provide Stearns with an opportunity to change that approach.
The challenge would be determining the appropriate price. Benge’s representatives would understandably have an interest in maximizing his value after a promising rookie campaign, while the Mets would want to avoid paying as though he had already established himself as a superstar. Recent extensions involving young outfielders provide some useful context, although each player entered negotiations with a different prospect pedigree, statistical profile and defensive reputation.
Roman Anthony’s eight-year, $130 million extension with Boston represents one end of the comparison spectrum, but Benge’s situation is considerably different. Anthony entered the majors with enormous prospect expectations and produced stronger offensive numbers, including an .859 OPS during his rookie season. Benge’s production has been encouraging, but he did not enter the majors with the same consensus top-prospect status, making a contract at Anthony’s level a difficult direct comparison.
Other extensions provide different reference points. Lawrence Butler signed a seven-year, $65.5 million deal with the Athletics after establishing himself as an emerging young outfielder. Tyler Soderstrom also received a seven-year extension, worth $86 million, after showing substantial offensive potential. Soderstrom’s power numbers were considerably stronger before his extension, while Benge brings a more balanced profile that includes defensive versatility and the ability to contribute on the bases.
A hypothetical Benge extension could therefore fall somewhere within that broader range, depending on how the Mets evaluate his offensive ceiling and defensive development. The structure could potentially give Benge guaranteed money over several seasons while allowing New York to retain a club option for an additional year. For the Mets, such a contract would provide greater certainty around a player who could become an important part of the club’s long-term lineup.
The bigger issue, however, goes beyond the numbers on a contract. It would be about demonstrating a different philosophy toward homegrown talent. The Alonso situation remains fresh in the minds of Mets fans because he represented more than just another free agent. He was drafted by the organization, developed in its system and became one of the franchise’s most recognizable players. His departure has therefore become a reference point whenever fans discuss the team’s commitment to its own stars.
Benge now represents a different opportunity. The Mets cannot change what happened with Alonso, but they can determine how they handle the players who emerge after him. If Benge continues developing into a reliable middle-of-the-order bat and quality defensive outfielder, an early extension could protect the organization against another difficult free-agency decision while simultaneously showing fans that promising young players have a path to long-term security in Queens.
The same philosophy could eventually apply to other emerging Mets players, including right-hander Nolan McLean. Building around young talent would require the organization to identify which players it believes can form the foundation of its next competitive roster and then make long-term commitments at appropriate points in their development. Benge could become the first major test of that strategy.
There is no guarantee that an extension would immediately change the mood around the Mets. Fans will ultimately judge Stearns and the organization based on the team’s performance and the broader direction of the franchise. Still, committing early to a promising homegrown player could provide tangible evidence that the front office is thinking beyond the next season and is willing to invest in players it believes can become part of the club’s future.
For Stearns, that makes Benge more than just another contract decision. It could become an opportunity to establish a new chapter after the emotionally charged Alonso departure. The Mets cannot bring Alonso back, and they cannot rewrite the circumstances that led to his exit. What they can do is make different decisions with the young talent now developing in their organization.
As Benge’s rookie season continues to unfold, his performance will therefore be watched not only as an individual development story but also as part of the Mets’ larger roster-building plan. If he continues his second-half momentum, strengthens his defense and establishes himself as a dependable everyday contributor, the conversation surrounding an extension could become much louder. For a fan base looking for evidence that the organization has learned from the past, a long-term commitment to Benge would carry significance well beyond the contract itself.
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