Former New York Mets hitting coach and bench coach Eric Chavez offered a brutal takedown of David Stearns, the team’s president of baseball operations, in an episode of “The EC3 Pod” on June 28.
Stearns has come under heavy criticism for the Mets’ struggles in 2026. Although manager Carlos Mendoza was fired with team off to a 35-48 start, many have pointed to Stearns’ off-season roster moves as being primarily responsible for the team’s poor play.
MORE: Freefalling Mets lose another infielder to injured list
For a fan or even a reporter to register that complaint is one thing. Chavez’s time with the Mets began as the team’s hitting coach in 2022, before he became bench coach in 2023. When the Mets hired Stearns after the 2023 season, Chavez moved back to the hitting coach position from 2024-25.
Chavez used his podcast appearance to unpack his (mostly negative) first-hand impressions of Stearns from their two seasons together.
Stearns has come under heavy criticism for the Mets’ struggles in 2026. Although manager Carlos Mendoza was fired with team off to a 35-48 start, many have pointed to Stearns’ off-season roster moves as being primarily responsible for the team’s poor play.
MORE: Freefalling Mets lose another infielder to injured list
For a fan or even a reporter to register that complaint is one thing. Chavez’s time with the Mets began as the team’s hitting coach in 2022, before he became bench coach in 2023. When the Mets hired Stearns after the 2023 season, Chavez moved back to the hitting coach position from 2024-25.
Chavez used his podcast appearance to unpack his (mostly negative) first-hand impressions of Stearns from their two seasons together.
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