Former New York Mets Coach Eric Chavez Criticizes David Stearns Over Juan Soto State of affairs

Former New York Mets coach Eric Chavez has publicly criticized workforce govt David Stearns over what he described as particular therapy given to celebrity Juan Soto throughout Chavez’s time with the group.

Eric Chavez Criticizes Mets Leadership

Speaking on his “EC3” podcast, Chavez claimed Soto would typically keep close to the batting cages or within the clubhouse between innings as a substitute of becoming a member of teammates within the dugout throughout video games.

Chavez mentioned the habits turned a priority as a result of youthful gamers had been watching how the group responded.

“This is a lack of leadership, a lack of accountability, from the top down,” Chavez mentioned. He additionally claimed that an assistant normal supervisor would sit with Soto and “coddle him” as a substitute of encouraging him to return to the dugout with the remainder of the workforce, Heavy reported.

The former coach mentioned he introduced the difficulty on to Stearns, believing the state of affairs might create issues contained in the clubhouse.

According to Chavez, Stearns responded by saying, “Those players need to learn that they’re not Juan Soto.” The feedback rapidly unfold on-line and added extra strain to a Mets group already dealing with criticism after a disappointing season.

Chavez labored for the Mets from 2024 by 2025 as each hitting coach and bench coach. He mentioned the Soto state of affairs was solely one among a number of warning indicators he seen whereas working below Stearns.

Chavez additionally talked about being requested to take a pay reduce and receiving organizational directions encouraging minor league hitters to focus closely on pull-side energy hitting.

David Stearns Under Fire Amid Mets Collapse

According to the NY Post, the controversy arrives throughout a tough 12 months for the Mets. Despite carrying one among baseball’s highest payrolls at greater than 320 million {dollars}, the workforce entered the week with a 35-49 file and heavy criticism from followers.

Recently, supervisor Carlos Mendoza was fired after the workforce’s poor efficiency continued by the primary half of the season. Many followers had blamed Mendoza for the membership’s struggles, however his departure has now shifted much more consideration towards Stearns and the entrance workplace.

Stearns initially joined the Mets after constructing a powerful popularity with the Milwaukee Brewers for figuring out underrated expertise and constructing aggressive rosters. However, his management has confronted growing scrutiny following main roster adjustments that noticed longtime fan favorites resembling Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, and Edwin Díaz depart the group.

Soto turned the centerpiece of the Mets’ rebuild after signing a large 15-year, 765 million greenback contract with the workforce in 2024.

Amid the rising criticism, Stearns just lately mentioned Mets proprietor Steve Cohen nonetheless helps him.

“I believe that we are building the foundation of an organization that can deliver what we all want,” Stearns mentioned whereas acknowledging the workforce’s disappointing file.