The New York Mets have decided to stick with Carlos Mendoza as manager for the 2026 season. This comes after a rough late-season collapse that knocked them out of playoff contention.
Mets fans watched their team’s hopes fade after losing a crucial tiebreaker to the Cincinnati Reds. Still, leadership isn’t budging and stands behind Mendoza, pointing to his leadership, past success, and commitment to the team’s future.
Mets Management Stands Behind Mendoza
Mendoza, hired in November 2023, holds a 172-152 record over his first two seasons. He even led the team to the NLCS in 2024.
But 2025 brought frustration, with an 83-79 finish and no postseason. Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns backed Mendoza, highlighting his steady presence and knack for getting the best out of his players—even when things get tough.
Owner Steve Cohen weighed in, calling the results “unacceptable” and offering a public apology to fans. Cohen said the organization is taking a hard look at what went wrong, hoping to set the team up better for next year.
Why the Mets Came Up Short
Stearns pointed to a few big issues:
- Lack of pitching depth – Injuries hammered the starting rotation.
- Defensive struggles – Errors and shaky fielding hurt them all year.
- Inconsistent run production – The offense just couldn’t stay hot.
On the mound, losing key arms like Kodai Senga, Sean Manaea, and Frankie Montas for long stretches forced the Mets to lean on their bullpen. Those relievers got overworked, and, honestly, they just couldn’t hang on to leads late in the year.
Rookie Reliance and Lessons Learned
The pitching mess meant rookies Nolan McLean, Jonah Tong, and Brandon Sproat had to step up in big moments. These young guys showed flashes, but the lack of veteran depth was obvious.
Stearns admitted he maybe should’ve been more aggressive about pitching reinforcements during the year. Still, he’s sticking to a development-first approach, for better or worse.
Building for the Future
The front office isn’t chasing big-name free agents right now. They’re betting on homegrown pitching to pay off long-term.
Stearns sees McLean, Tong, and Sproat as central to 2026, hopefully alongside a healthier Senga, Manaea, and Montas. This fits with Mendoza’s talent for developing young players—a skill that helped the team break through in 2024.
Keeping Mendoza is, in their eyes, key to building some real stability and chemistry in the clubhouse.
Fan Frustration and Organizational Promise
Mets fans have had more than enough heartbreak, and missing the postseason on a tiebreaker just piles on. Steve Cohen’s public apology shows ownership gets how much the fans care and wants to keep them involved with honesty and a clear plan.
Can Mendoza Deliver Again?
Now the big question: can Mendoza repeat—or top—the success from 2024? Inside the clubhouse, folks respect his leadership style, which mixes accountability with a bit of optimism.
Stearns thinks that if they shore up the pitching, tighten the defense, and get more steady offense, Mendoza can take this team deep into October again. Maybe that’s a bit optimistic, but hey, stranger things have happened in baseball.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The Mets are heading into the offseason with three big priorities. They want to fix the pitching staff, adjust defensive alignments, and find some real consistency at the plate.
All eyes will stay on Mendoza as he enters his third season in New York. He’s got something to prove, especially after that rough collapse at the end of 2025—was it just a blip, or something more?
Some fans called for a change in the manager’s seat. Still, the front office decided to stick with Mendoza, showing they trust the plan they’ve built.
With a mix of proven veterans and some exciting young pitchers, the Mets seem to think their foundation’s in place for a winning year—and maybe a shot at the playoffs again.
Honestly, who wouldn’t be motivated? The 2026 Mets and Carlos Mendoza have every reason to chase a better ending than last year’s heartbreak.
Here is the source article for this story: Mets to retain Mendoza; no guarantees for staff
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