In the wake of the New York Mets firing Carlos Mendoza, the club appointed senior vice president for player development Andy Green as interim manager for the remainder of the 2026 season. During his press conference just hours after Mendoza’s departure, president of baseball operations David Stearns said Green will return to the Mets’ front office after the season, meaning New York will conduct a full-scale managerial search this offseason.
Since Terry Collins retired following the 2017 season, the Mets have hired four full-time managers. There’s been a noticeable trend in those hires. Mickey Callaway, Luis Rojas and Mendoza were all first-time managers when they were hired. Buck Showalter, who took over ahead of the 2022 season, was the lone exception. So, it’s fair to wonder: will the Mets once again turn to a first-time manager?
After years of inconsistency since their 2015 World Series appearance, however, Steve Cohen and Stearns may decide it’s time to bring in someone with a proven track record. Former Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora fits that description almost perfectly.
Cora’s Comments on Mets Raises Questions
Recently, Cora appeared on the Trabuqueando podcast and praised the Mets, calling them “a solid organization.”
“The owner is a big dog. The POBO is intelligent and they’ve spent the money. It hasn’t worked out yet, so they’re getting killed for it, but how many other teams are in the exact same situation right now?”
Alex Cora sat down with Francisco Arzola from Trabuqueando podcast and had this to say about the Mets:
“They’re a solid organization. The owner is a big dog, the POBO is intelligent, and they’ve spent the money. It hasn’t worked out yet, so they’re getting killed for it, but how… pic.twitter.com/5UiOpXQD7k
— Master Flip 🇩🇴 (@Masterflip_) June 30, 2026
Cora has given no indication he wants to manage the Mets. Still, if Stearns decides experience is the priority after hiring first-time manager Mendoza, the former Red Sox skipper would be a logical fit.
Cora’s Resume
Cora has built one of the strongest managerial résumés in baseball, leading the Sox to a World Series championship in 2018 while earning a reputation for his clubhouse leadership and ability to connect with players. Those qualities could appeal to Stearns as he searches for a manager capable of stabilizing a franchise that has struggled to find consistency.
As a veteran manager, Cora would immediately command respect in the clubhouse. For a Mets team that has dealt with multiple clubhouse altercations in recent seasons, an experienced voice could help establish stability. With the roster growing younger and a promising core beginning to emerge, hiring a proven leader may become one of Stearns’ top priorities this winter.
Cora Will Have Suitors
But the Mets are unlikely to be the only team interested in Cora’s services. If he decides to return to managing, New York is expected to face stiff competition — including from one of its biggest rivals.
When the Red Sox fired Cora in late April — along with several members of the coaching staff — the Philadelphia Phillies, who had also dismissed manager Rob Thomson, offered Cora the opportunity to become their next manager. The one-time World Series champion declined the offer to spend more time with his family. Philadelphia instead promoted bench coach Don Mattingly to interim manager.
Whether the Phillies retain Mattingly beyond this season remains to be seen, but the expectation around the industry is that president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski will pursue Cora this offseason. The two worked together in Boston from 2017-19, winning the 2018 World Series.
The person who will lead the Mets’ upcoming managerial search will be Stearns, as Cohen confirmed Wednesday on The Show podcast that he intends to let the president of baseball operations see out his full five-year contract.
“We’re going to do a proper search at the end of the year,” Cohen said on the team’s future managerial plans. “I don’t think there will be a shortage of people who will want this job. We’re going to try and make the best choice that we can.”
Main Photo: Tommy Gilligan- Imagn Images
