The New York Mets have dismissed manager Carlos Mendoza amid a disappointing 34-47 start to the 2026 season, intensifying scrutiny on team president David Stearns, who is now under increasing pressure to deliver results. Mendoza’s firing, announced early on Friday, came as the Mets lag with the third-worst record in the National League, well below expectations set when Stearns was hired under the premise of building a consistent championship contender.
Stearns, in his second and a half years with the Mets, has overseen a roster plagued by injuries, underperformance, and questionable roster construction decisions. After narrowly reaching the playoffs in his first season—mainly with players inherited from previous regimes—the team missed postseason play last year amid growing dissatisfaction. This season’s struggles, with a roster more reflective of Stearns’ strategy, have been particularly glaring.
The Mets’ home series sweep at the hands of the Chicago Cubs, marked by subpar defense and lackluster effort, was a tipping point. Despite initial reluctance from ownership—including principal owner Steve Cohen—to relieve Mendoza of his duties, the sweep prompted a shift in thinking. Cohen reportedly considered the firing necessary to acknowledge poor performance and quell rising fan frustration, especially given Mendoza’s contract was unlikely to be renewed beyond 2026.
With Mendoza’s exit, assistant general manager Andy Green has been installed as the interim manager. Green, currently serving as the team’s director of player development, previously managed the San Diego Padres from 2016 to 2019 with limited success, posting a 274-366 record. The decision to appoint Green underscores a lack of clear managerial alternatives within the Mets’ current staff. Bench coach Kai Correa and pitching coach Justin Willard, both in their first seasons with the team, were considered insufficiently experienced to assume leadership roles.
Green faces significant challenges managing a roster marked by inconsistency and underperforming prospects, including questions surrounding key players such as Kodai Senga and Francisco Alvarez. The team’s farm system, once a source of optimism, has not yet yielded impact contributors at the major league level this season.
Stearns acknowledged responsibility for the team’s struggles, emphasizing the absence of a quick fix. He maintains ownership’s support, though insiders suggest that patience may be limited if the team does not improve markedly next season. Criticism of his tenure centers on his roster construction and inability to translate resources into sustained success, placing him in a precarious position as the franchise contemplates its trajectory.
Steve Cohen, who acquired the Mets with ambitions of restoring a struggling franchise to perennial competitiveness, faces increasing pressure to reverse the team’s fortunes. The pattern of managerial and coaching changes without corresponding improvement mirrors challenges faced under previous ownership eras, raising doubts about the current regime’s long-term efficacy.
As the Mets approach the remainder of the 2026 season, the organization’s leadership must balance short-term adjustments with the broader goal of rebuilding a reliable contender. For Stearns, the stakes are high: success could solidify his role, while continued underperformance may lead to his own dismissal amid fan and ownership impatience.