The New York Mets are making a significant change in the dugout, parting ways with manager Carlos Mendoza amid an ugly stretch that has raised serious concerns about the team’s direction. Senior vice president of player development Andy Green has been named interim manager for the remainder of the 2026 season.
Report: Mets Fire Manager Carlos Mendoza
With a rough 34-47 record on the season marked by inconsistency, underperformance, and mounting pressure, the organization decided it was time for a new voice to lead the clubhouse. The move signals a turning point for a Mets team that entered the year with World Series expectations but has struggled to find its footing.
Mendoza, who was in year three of a three-year deal with a club option for 2027, was hired ahead of the 2024 season by the man who would eventually fire him — David Stearns — president of baseball operations.
In his first season as Mets skipper, Mendoza led New York to the National League Championship Series in 2024, before losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games. Mendoza took a Mets team that had little-to-no expectations in ‘24 and turned them into an exciting ballclub with players that fought hard all 27 outs and a full nine innings of every game.
With momentum heading into the next season after a surprise postseason run and the signing of superstar Juan Soto, there was added pressure for the former Yankees’ bench coach.
2025 was promising, the Mets had the best record in baseball at one point in the first half, but after a disastrous trade deadline, the Mets fell off the grid and failed to reach the postseason for a second year in a row.
Mendoza ends his tenure as Mets manager with a record of 206-199. The last time New York fired a manager in-season was when the team fired Willie Randolph in 2008.
Many around the league believed Mendoza’s time as Mets manager would come to an end earlier in the season. But on May 1st, in Anaheim, Stearns publicly said that Mendoza’s job is safe — for now. He did leave the door open for the possibility of his departure if things didn’t turn around for the Mets later in the summer.
Things have certainly not turned around for Mendoza or the Mets. In fact, it’s only gotten worse since. The news comes just a day after the Mets were swept in a four-game series against the Chicago Cubs at home. They have fallen to a season-worst 13 games under .500 and now sit 9.5 games back of the last National League Wild Card spot.
Green, 48, will now take over managerial duties for the Mets. He is also the first person to both play and will now manage for the Mets. The last to do that was also Willie Randolph. Green, who managed the San Diego Padres for four seasons (2016-2019), owns a record of 274-366.
Mendoza was Stearns’ scapegoat. After an offseason which caused turmoil and angst toward the club from fans, Stearns knew the only way to assure and calm fans down was to win. That has not happened whatsoever, and it is now backfiring.
Stearns had also fired almost the entire coaching staff from the 2025 team. He inserted his own guys and decided to keep Mendoza. Now with him out the picture, the attention fully turns towards the POBO, and he knows it.
Soon after news broke, the Mets released statements on Mendoza’s firing, with comments from owner Steve Cohen and Stearns.
“I want to express my deepest gratitude to Carlos Mendoza for his leadership and unwavering commitment,” Cohen said. “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.”
“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.”
Main Photo Credits: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
