The New York Mets fired manager Carlos Mendoza on Friday, pulling the plug on a season spiraling toward disaster. The team sits at 34-47 with six consecutive losses, buried 15 games behind division-leading Atlanta and clinging to playoff hopes by a thread, 9.5 games out of the final wild-card spot.
The move marks a dramatic reversal for a franchise that entered the season with championship aspirations. Owner Steve Cohen, who has invested heavily in star talent, acknowledged the harsh reality in a statement. "There is no sugar-coating it: This season has been a disappointment and our fans deserve better than what we've delivered," he said.
Mendoza departs after three seasons leading the club, during which he posted a 206-199 record. He took over following the 2023 season, replacing Buck Showalter. Last year, the Mets reached the NL Championship Series, but failed to build on that momentum this season. With a payroll second only to the Los Angeles Dodgers at $377 million, the underperformance has been particularly stinging for Cohen and the organization's front office.
Andy Green assumes control of the team immediately. A former big league infielder, Green has been with the Mets organization since 2023, serving as senior vice-president of baseball development. He previously managed the San Diego Padres from 2016 to 2019, compiling a 274-366 record.
Baseball operations president David Stearns defended Mendoza's character while explaining the necessity of the change. "Carlos has led the organization with passion and grace and is beloved by everyone who works with him on a daily basis," Stearns said. "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."
Author James Rodriguez: "The Mets handed Green a salvage mission with a bullet train payroll and a season already derailed, a desperate bet that managerial chemistry beats on-field collapse."
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