Queens, NY—–The New York Mets have made a dramatic midseason change, dismissing manager Carlos Mendoza following another disappointing stretch that has left the club well out of playoff contention.
The announcement came Friday after New York dropped its sixth consecutive game, including a four-game sweep by the Chicago Cubs, leaving the Mets with a 34-47 record and 13 games below the .500 mark. Bench coach Andy Green has been promoted to interim manager for the remainder of the season.
President of Baseball Operations David Stearns acknowledged Mendoza’s impact on the organization but said the team’s performance demanded action.
“Carlos brought professionalism, energy, and strong leadership to this clubhouse,” Stearns said in a statement. “He helped establish a positive culture and earned the respect of everyone throughout the organization. Unfortunately, our results have not met expectations, and we believe a change is necessary.”
Mendoza also released a statement expressing appreciation to ownership, Stearns, the players, and Mets fans.
“New York will always hold a special place in my heart,” Mendoza said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to manage this historic franchise and proud of everything we accomplished together. I believe the future remains bright for this organization.”
Championship Expectations Turn Into Frustration
The Mets entered 2026 believing they had assembled one of baseball’s deepest rosters after an aggressive offseason engineered by Stearns and owner Steve Cohen.
Following last year’s late-season collapse, the front office reshaped nearly every area of the club.
The organization traded longtime veterans Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil while allowing Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz to depart in free agency. Those moves paved the way for an entirely new core surrounding franchise cornerstones Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor.
Among the biggest additions were Marcus Semien, Luis Robert Jr., Freddy Peralta, Tobias Myers, Bo Bichette, Jorge Polanco, Devin Williams, and Luke Weaver.
On paper, the roster appeared capable of competing for a National League pennant.
On the field, however, very little has gone according to plan.
Injuries Derail the Lineup
The Mets never found offensive consistency after injuries sidelined several key contributors.
Juan Soto missed significant time early in the season with a calf strain, and shortly after his return, Francisco Lindor suffered his own calf injury that kept him out for more than two months. The club’s two biggest stars have shared the lineup in only 10 games all season.
Additional injuries further weakened the offense.
Jorge Polanco has appeared in just 14 games because of a left Achilles injury, while Luis Robert Jr. has remained sidelined with a lingering back issue. Marcus Semien struggled before landing on the injured list with a hip flexor strain, and although Bo Bichette improved offensively during June after a difficult start, the lineup never fully recovered from its early-season struggles.
Rotation Falls Apart
While injuries hurt the offense, the pitching staff endured an even steeper decline.
Clay Holmes’ fractured fibula created instability within the starting rotation, while Freddy Peralta struggled to provide consistency. Kodai Senga was eventually moved to the bullpen after posting one of the highest ERAs among qualified starters, and David Peterson was traded after an underwhelming first half.
The Mets entered July with the worst team ERA in Major League Baseball during the month of June, a statistic that reflected just how dramatically the rotation had unraveled.
Although relievers Devin Williams and Luke Weaver performed well late in games, the bullpen simply couldn’t compensate for ineffective starting pitching.
Mendoza’s Mixed Legacy
Mendoza finishes his tenure with a 206-199 managerial record after three seasons in Queens.
His first season remains one of the more remarkable turnarounds in franchise history. In 2024, Mendoza guided a struggling Mets team from the bottom of the standings to an improbable National League Championship Series appearance, falling just two victories shy of reaching the World Series.
The momentum, however, failed to carry over.
The Mets faded badly during the second half of 2025, missing the postseason despite holding one of baseball’s best records midway through the year. This season brought even greater expectations following an expensive roster overhaul, but injuries, inconsistent play, and extended losing streaks prevented New York from ever establishing itself as a legitimate contender.
Long Odds Ahead
Steve Cohen acknowledged the organization’s shortcomings while reiterating his commitment to building a championship-caliber franchise.
“There is no sugarcoating this season,” Cohen said. “Our fans deserve better than what we’ve delivered. We’re committed to making the changes necessary to get this organization back where it belongs.”
The Mets begin a critical series against the Philadelphia Phillies sitting in last place in the National League East and facing increasingly slim postseason hopes. According to FanGraphs, New York’s playoff chances have dwindled to just over five percent.
With Andy Green now leading the club, the focus shifts toward restoring accountability and evaluating the roster for the future.
Whether the managerial change is enough to spark a turnaround remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the Mets’ championship aspirations have given way to another season defined by disappointment, difficult decisions, and the search for a new direction.
