SEATTLE: Manager Carlos Mendoza of the New York Mets before a game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on June 2, 2026. Mendoza was replaced by Andy Green today. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
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Carlos Mendoza is out as New York Mets manager, replaced today on an interim basis by Andy Green in one of the most embarrassing weeks in team history.
Mendoza took the fall for baseball’s highest payroll playing like stumblebums in a beer league.
For their $329,067,969 payroll, as reported by spotac.com, Mets management and their fans were treated in the last six days to:
- Six straight losses, being outscored 54-22.
- Eleven errors, including an unfathomable six in one game Wednesday night.
- A team that is in last place, 15 games behind the NL East leading Atlanta Braves.
- A 34-47 record, 25th among MLB’s 30 teams.
“Carlos has led the organization with passion and grace and is beloved by everyone who works with him on a daily basis,” Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns said in a press release. “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.”
NEW YORK: Owner Steven A. Cohen and manager Carlos Mendoza of the New York Mets pose for a photo after winning Game 4 of the NL Division Series over the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field on Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
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Team owner Steve Cohen also took the high road in dismissing Mendoza while admitting the 2026 season has been a disaster after a hopeful off-season that featured a number of player moves..
“I want to express my deepest gratitude to Carlos Mendoza for his leadership and unwavering commitment,” Cohen said in his statement released by the ballclub. “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.”
Earlier this season, Stearns expressed solid support for Mendoza during a 12-game losing streak in April. After saying then the organization had no intention of making a managerial move, the club followed their 7-19 start in April with a 16-12 record in May. Now they are 8-14 in June.
Green will be at the helm tonight when the Mets host the rival Philadelphia Phillies in the opener of a three-game series. The second-place Phillies have gone 36-19 since Don Mattingly replaced Rob Thomson after a 9-19 start.
Green, 48, former manager of the San Diego Padres and a former Mets player, was named vice president of player development by the New York club in 2024.
Mendoza, named to the job at age 44 in 2024, had an overall record of 206-199
Many Moves, Many Injuries
New York did not sign slugger Pete Alonso and ace closer Edwin Diaz last winter, much to the consternation of many fans.
The Mets did give free agent infielder Bo Bichette a three-year, $42 million deal. He’s hitting .344 with five homers in his last 22 games after opening the year with five homers and a .219 average in 59 games.
NEW YORK: Francisco Alvarez of the New York Mets leaves a game against the Detroit Tigers at Citi Field on May 12, 2026 with a right knee injury. He was sidelined a month.. (Photo by Evan Bernstein/Getty Images)
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They also signed infielder Jorge Polanco and reliever Luke Weaver, traded for second baseman Marcus Semien, outfielder Luis Robert and starter Freddy Peralta and re-signed reliever Devin Williams.
Peralta has been a savior to the injury-plagued rotation and Weaver has been solid. Williams has improved after a poor opening six weeks, Semien has yet to get untracked (.214 average) and is now on the injured list with Polanco, Roberts, outfielder Tyrone Taylor and pitchers Clay Holmes and Christian Scott.
Lindor, expected to be the offensive catalyst, has played only 25 games after wrist surgery and is hitting .214.
Green(er) Outlook?
The Mets’ new skipper was a good hitter in the minor leagues who gained the reputation as an energetic player willing to do whatever he could for the good of the team.
He spent the last three years of his playing career in the Mets’ organization, but played in only four games for the big-league team in 2009, going 1-for-4.
Before that, he hit .199 in in 136 games for the Arizona Diamondbacks. The D-Backs drafted him in the 24th round out of the University of Kentucky in 2000.
In 901 games in the minors, he batted .295, playing mostly second base, some third base, shortstop and the outfield.
SAN DIEGO: San Diego Padres manager Andy Green throws his cap as he is ejected from a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates by umpire Brian Gorman at PETCO Park on April 19, 2016. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
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As manager of the San Diego Padres, Green compiled a 274-366 record in 2015-19. He brought the same enthusiastic approach to the game as he did while a player and is considered a good communicator with players.
That is what the Mets hope to get now in contrast to Mendoza’s somewhat laid-back style. Mendoza was highly popular with players’ particularly Latino stars Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto.
Green also is highly involved in utilizing an analytical approach and experimenting with defensive changes.
The New York Mets’ Future?
Right now, raucous fans are calling them the New York Mess.
The team reached the halfway point of the season at 81 games last night, 9 1/2 games out of a possible playoff berth.
The outlook, as it was in the legendary poem “Casey At The Bat”, isn’t brilliant for the Metville nine this day. Yet it’s not impossible to make up that ground.
Just two years ago, the Mets went 67-40 after a 22-33 start to make the playoffs. They swept the Braves in a season-ending doubleheader to gain a wild-card spot.
New York Mets management remembers. They are hopeful to make new memories in 2026.