Attanasio isn't wrong, but I think the "he's under contract" line is weak. Stearns will either stay or go depending on factors important to him. Does he like it here? Does his wife like it here? Would he kick himself later if he never seized the opportunity to lead the Mets? How hamstrung does he feel living with a small market budget? How is Mark A as a boss? How much money would Cohen pay? Being "under contract" doesn't much matter if someone is miserable where they are at. Stearns doesn't seem miserable, but he's in demand, and he'd be crazy to not consider what else is out there. Over the long-term I agree with you, but for at least the duration of his current contract (believed to be through the 2022 season) it really does matter that he’s under contract. Unlike most businesses, requests to interview rival MLB team execs must go through the league office. Unless the Mets job is a clear promotion (in terms of title and responsibility, not money), it’s my understanding Attanasio can again decline to allow the Mets to interview Stearns. As I mentioned earlier, since Stearns already has a President title, I think the Mets would have to get really creative such as including a minority ownership share to be able to interview Stearns before the end of his current deal.