The New York Mets have fired manager Carlos Mendoza after a brutal stretch that included a four-game sweep by the Chicago Cubs and a six-game losing streak in which the team was outscored 58-22.
The move comes with the Mets sitting 13 games under .500 and at the exact midway point of the season at 34-47. The decision is the first major change the club has made amid its worst stretch since last year’s collapse.
“Carlos has led the organization with passion and grace and is beloved by everyone who works with him on a daily basis. Carlos’ impact on our players, staff, and culture over the last three seasons has been transformative. Unfortunately, we know we are falling short and change is necessary to move forward,” President of Baseball Operations David Stearns said in a release.
Owner Steve Cohen added, “I want to express my deepest gratitude to Carlos Mendoza for his leadership and unwavering commitment. He represented this organization with integrity and dedication throughout, and I wish him and his family all the best. Our commitment to bringing our fans a championship-caliber team has not changed. There is no sugar coating it: this season has been a disappointment and our fans deserve better than what we’ve delivered.”
Why the Mets fired Carlos Mendoza now
Team officials point to the Cubs sweep and the length and severity of the downturn as the immediate triggers. The Mets were swept in four games by Chicago this week, and that stretch pushed a larger skid that saw them outscored 58-22 over six games.
That recent collapse compounded an ongoing slide: since June 13 of last year the Mets are 72-102. A 12-game losing streak in April deepened the malaise and left the front office increasingly concerned about competitiveness and clubhouse trajectory.
Mendoza’s tenure included a run to the 2024 National League Championship Series in his first year as manager, but ownership and the front office concluded that the current results required new leadership at the major-league level.
How roster moves and the $330 million payroll shaped the season
The results have felt especially stark because the Mets entered the year with the largest payroll in baseball at nearly $330 million. That level of spending, combined with a sweeping roster overhaul by President David Stearns, heightened expectations that have not been met on the field.
New York allowed key long-time contributors to depart and reshaped the roster: Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz left in free agency, and Jeff McNeil and Brandon Nimmo were traded in moves intended to reallocate resources. The club added Jorge Polanco, Luis Robert, Bo Bichette, Devin Williams and Luke Weaver as part of the retooling.
Availability and inconsistent performance have hampered the overhaul. The team has dealt with injuries and extended absences — the club has noted Polanco and Robert have not played since April — and several additions have not yet delivered sustained impact. At the same time, a few young or new pieces have shown promise but not enough to offset broader offensive and defensive declines.
By the numbers
- Mets record at midpoint: 34-47
- On pace for fewer than 70 wins
- Team OPS: .675 (second-worst in MLB)
- Starting rotation ERA: 4.90 (third-worst)
- Third-most errors in the league
- Outscored 58-22 during the recent six-game skid
- 72-102 since June 13 last year
Front office reaction and immediate plan
Both David Stearns and owner Steve Cohen issued statements thanking Mendoza for his work while making clear the team’s results necessitated a change. Their releases emphasized appreciation for Mendoza’s leadership and a shared belief that a new approach was required to try to reverse the slide.
Andy Green, a former San Diego Padres manager who had been working in the Mets’ front office, will assume the role of interim manager. The club has not announced a timetable for a permanent managerial search and has not specified whether additional coaching changes are imminent.
What comes next for the Mets and for Carlos Mendoza
The short-term focus will be stabilization: Green will take over day-to-day managerial duties and the front office will review coaching, player performance, and medical availability to determine whether results stem from construction, health, or instruction.
Below are the immediate next-step items the club has announced or is widely expected to pursue as it assesses the remainder of the season:
- Interim leadership: Andy Green named interim manager while the club evaluates longer-term options.
- Coaching review: Internal review of the coaching staff’s roles and responsibilities; no firm personnel timeline announced.
- Roster evaluation: Ongoing assessment of player performance and availability to identify whether trades, call-ups or role changes are needed before roster deadlines.
- Medical and performance review: Continued evaluation of injuries and conditioning to clarify timelines for returns and readiness.
The club has not disclosed Carlos Mendoza’s next professional steps. Stearns and Cohen both expressed gratitude for his contributions over three seasons while signaling that the organization must change course to meet expectations.
Frequently asked questions
Why was Carlos Mendoza fired?
The club cited a prolonged skid culminating in a four-game sweep by the Chicago Cubs, a six-game stretch in which the Mets were outscored 58-22, and overall results that left the team 13 games under .500 at the midpoint of the season.
Who is replacing Carlos Mendoza as manager?
Former San Diego Padres manager Andy Green, who was working in the Mets’ front office, will serve as interim manager while the team evaluates longer-term options.
How did roster changes and payroll affect the season outcome?
The Mets entered the year with nearly $330 million in payroll and completed a substantial roster overhaul under David Stearns. Key departures and new acquisitions have not yet produced consistent results; injuries and underperformance have contributed to the team’s struggles.
Source: Fox News
