Steve Cohen

The New York Mets are a mess.

That’s not a hot take anymore. If their 34-43 record is to be believed, that’s an objective truth.

In an appearance on “DiPietro and Rothenberg” on Tuesday, ESPN’s Buster Olney didn’t sugarcoat a thing about the Mets. He offered a bold trade proposal, a sharp reality check and a pointed message for Steve Cohen: it’s time to stop hiding.

With the Giants reportedly in full teardown mode — willing to listen on virtually everyone not named Logan Webb or Bryce Eldridge — Olney floated a scenario that’s equal parts creative and explosive.

What if the Mets targeted Willy Adames?

“And I don’t know exactly where the numbers would land, but what if you were to do something with Willy Adames, who you could bring over if you’re the Mets and you could move him to third base,” Olney said in a clip posted on YouTube.

The structure would send Marcus Semien — who grew up in the Bay Area and still has significant money remaining on his contract — to San Francisco, absorb a chunk of Adames’ five-year, $31 million-per-year deal and rearrange the infield by sliding Adames to third and Bo Bichette back to his natural second base.

Olney pointed out that Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns has a history with Adames from their time together in Milwaukee, where Adames was known as a clubhouse leader and a tone-setter.

The fit feels natural — or at least it would, if the Mets’ front office situation weren’t so murky right now.

Speaking of Stearns, host Dave Rothenberg pressed Olney hard on the question every Mets fan is whispering: how long does David Stearns actually have?

“So, so it’s either you-know-what or get off the pot, huh? It’s either make the change or come out and give him a vote of confidence,” Rothenberg said.

Olney agreed. He noted that people around the league are actively asking about Stearns’ standing with the organization.

That kind of speculation signals real uncertainty about Stearns’ future. Mets owner Steve Cohen has the power to end that conversation with a single public statement — and the fact that he hasn’t is telling.

Olney even noted that a vote of confidence doesn’t lock Cohen in permanently. As he pointed out on the show, an executive told him that you can issue a vote of confidence and still change your mind later.

There’s no downside to clarity.