What happened: Steve Cohen intends to keep David Stearns in place for the life of his five-year contract to run the Mets' baseball operations. The commitment holds even as the club sits well below .500 and works through a difficult stretch of the season.

Why it matters: The move signals stability at the top of the front office at a moment when the Mets have made a change in the dugout, having parted ways with manager Carlos Mendoza. Backing Stearns for the full term tells the roster and the market that the baseball-operations blueprint is not up for reevaluation despite the standings.

What to watch: Watch how the commitment shapes the Mets' posture into the trade deadline, including whether they position as buyers or sellers, and who Stearns names as the next manager.