The New York Mets announced this Friday the dismissal of coach Carlos Mendoza, in an attempt to reverse the scenario of a season below expectations. The decision comes after a frustrating first half of the year, which saw the New York team, with one of the biggest payrolls in Major League Baseball (MLB), perform significantly below expectations, with 34 wins and 47 losses.
Management seeks to save the season amid performance below expectations
The New York Mets board of directors acted on Friday, June 26, 2026, with the dismissal of their coach. Andy Green, who had been serving as the club’s senior vice president of baseball development, was quickly named to take over as interim head coach. This change reflects the franchise’s urgency in changing the direction of the current campaign, which already records more defeats than victories.
The unexpected downfall of a millionaire cast
Carlos Mendoza’s firing amounts to an admission of failure on the part of Mets brass, especially since he was the personal pick of David Stearns, president of baseball operations. The team’s payroll reaches an impressive US$370 million, second only to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the MLB. However, the performance on the field does not match the volume of investments, a contrast that weighs heavily on the organization and its fans, who expected a team to compete in the playoffs as per the goal established by owner Steve Cohen.
The multiple reasons behind the drastic decision
The April period marked a critical point for the team, which faced a run of 12 consecutive defeats, equaling the worst record since 2002 and the longest in the opening month of the season since 1962, the year the club was founded. In addition to the terrible record, the Mets’ offense ranks among the last in practically every important statistical category in the league. The pitching rotation also proved to be a major concern, with a few significant additions, such as Freddy Peralta, unable to fill the gaps.
Cast changes and the impact of injuries
The Mets sought to reinvigorate the team before the start of the season, promoting half the roster with new acquisitions like Bo Bichette and Marcus Semien, while releasing old base players like Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo. However, the adaptation of the new athletes did not go as planned. The situation was made worse by injuries to key players like Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor, who were only on the field together for a full week.
Andy Green takes on interim leadership of the team
With Mendoza’s departure, Andy Green takes over with the task of stabilizing the team. Prior to his promotion, Green played a strategic role in the franchise’s baseball development. He already has previous experience as a coach in the MLB, having managed the San Diego Padres between 2016 and 2019. His arrival represents yet another attempt by the Mets to find a winning formula, as the team has exhausted its options for major changes to the roster and coaching staff.
Trajectory of ups and downs in Carlos Mendoza’s management
Over his two and a half seasons, Carlos Mendoza recorded a total record of 206 wins and 198 losses. He took over to replace Buck Showalter and his tenure was marked by extremes: after a difficult start to 2024, the Mets recovered and reached the National League Championship Series. However, in 2025, the team got off to a promising start, but ended up falling apart and missing out on a playoff spot on the final day of the regular season, even after the signing of Juan Soto. The lack of consistency in 2026, with the current performance, sealed their fate.