New York Mets fire manager Carlos Mendoza and name Andy Green interim

New York Mets fire manager Carlos Mendoza and name Andy Green interim

The New York Mets fired manager Carlos Mendoza on Friday, June 26, 2026, following a season of steep declines for a club carrying one of the highest payrolls in Major League Baseball. Andy Green, the organization's senior vice president of baseball development and a former manager of the San Diego Padres from 2016-2019, will serve as interim manager for the remainder of the season.

The decision comes as the Mets sit in last place in the National League East with a 34-47 record. The club is 15 games behind the first-place Atlanta Braves and 9 1/2 games away from the final National League wild-card berth. The firing followed a six-game losing streak and a particularly dismal Wednesday night doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs, in which the Mets were swept by a combined score of 20-8. That finale featured six errors by the infield, the most in a single game for the franchise since 2014.

"Carlos has led the organization with passion and grace and is beloved by everyone who works with him on a daily basis,"

David Stearns, president of baseball operations, via team statement

Stearns added that Mendoza's impact on the staff, players, and culture was transformative, but acknowledged that change is necessary to move forward because the team is falling short.

Mendoza, who was hired before the 2024 season as a former Yankees bench coach, experienced a volatile tenure. After guiding the team to the National League Championship Series in his rookie year, he oversaw a 2025 campaign where the team started fast but collapsed, finishing 83-79 and missing the playoffs. The Mets' record under Mendoza was 206-198 according to a team release, though other reports cite a 206-199 record. Since a peak on June 12 of last year when the club held the league's best record, the Mets have gone 72-101 (or 72-102 according to some reports).

Owner Steve Cohen, who entered the 2026 season with a payroll of $358 million — projected with an additional $124 million in luxury tax — expressed his own disappointment.

"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."

Steve Cohen, Mets owner, via statement

The 2026 season has been defined by an offense that struggled and a defense that faltered. In 11 of their last 17 games, the Mets scored two runs or fewer. Injuries have plagued the star-studded roster: All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor has been limited to 35 games, and Juan Soto, who signed a record 15-year, $765 million contract, missed 19 games due to back and calf injuries. The Mets have posted a 3-16 record in games without Soto.

The turmoil also highlights the perceived failures of president David Stearns' roster construction. Stearns implemented a run prevention mantra, leading to the departure of homegrown slugger Pete Alonso and the trading of Brandon Nimmo. In their place, Stearns brought in Bo Bichette on a $42 million annual salary and Marcus Semien. The rotation also struggled, with Freddy Peralta being the only offseason addition to the group. On Thursday, the Mets traded pitcher David Peterson to the Cubs.

Mendoza's departure follows a trend among big-market teams; he is the third manager fired this season, joining the Red Sox's Alex Cora and the Phillies' Rob Thomson. Mendoza was in the final guaranteed year of a three-year contract, and the team had declined the option for 2027.

Andy Green now inherits a roster in crisis. A former major league infielder who played for the Diamondbacks from 2004 to 2006 and briefly for the Mets in 2009, Green's previous managerial stint with San Diego resulted in sub-.500 records in each of his four seasons (274-366). He becomes the fourth manager under Cohen's ownership, following Luis Rojas, Buck Showalter, and Mendoza.

With 81 games remaining and the team plummeting toward a 94-loss season, the Mets must now determine if they will continue to fight for a distant wild-card spot or pivot toward a total selloff and retooling for the future.