In the midst of a brutal nine-game losing streak, New York Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns has stepped up to shield his manager from the mounting criticism. Speaking before a tough 12-4 loss to the Chicago Cubs, Stearns firmly defended first-year skipper Carlos Mendoza, placing the blame for the team's 7-13 start squarely on player performance, not managerial decisions.

"I think Mendy’s doing a very good job," Stearns stated. "He is putting players in positions to succeed. And we need to go out and play better." This public vote of confidence comes at a critical time, as the Mets find themselves in last place in the NL East, mired in their worst skid since 2004.

The frustration is palpable. During this slide, the Mets have been outscored by a staggering 56-16 margin. Stearns acknowledged the team's offensive woes, saying, "We haven’t hit. And when you don’t hit, you can look stagnant." However, he was quick to defend the team's effort and preparation, emphasizing that the core issue is execution on the field, not a lack of hustle or strategy from the dugout.

This early-season struggle is a stark contrast to the high expectations set during a transformative offseason. After missing the playoffs last year, the front office engineered a major roster overhaul, trading for ace Freddy Peralta and adding impact bats like Marcus Semien and Luis Robert Jr. The clear goal was to build a contender capable of ending a World Series drought that stretches back to 1986.

For now, the results haven't matched the ambition. But Stearns' defense of Mendoza signals a unified front office, choosing patience and pointing to the long MLB season. The message from the top is clear: it's on the players in the clubhouse to turn their talent into wins and start the climb back into contention.