Carlos Mendoza was dismissed as New York Mets manager on June 26, 2026, after a disappointing first half of the MLB season [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. At the time of his firing, the Mets held a 34-47 record, were on a six-game losing streak, and ranked last in the National League East [2, 3, 4, 6, 5].
Andy Green, a Mets front-office executive and former San Diego Padres manager, was named interim manager to lead the team for the remainder of the season [1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 5]. Green will return to his player development role after the season while the Mets search for a permanent manager [6].
The Mets entered the 2026 season with one of the highest payrolls in MLB, reported between $329 million and $377 million, but have fallen well below expectations [2, 4, 5]. The team struggled both offensively and on the mound, posting the second-worst OPS, third-worst ERA, and among the league's highest error totals [5]. Injuries and significant roster turnover in the offseason, including the departures of Pete Alonso, Edwin Díaz, Brandon Nimmo, and Jeff McNeil, contributed to the poor performance [3, 4, 5].
Mets owner Steve Cohen publicly expressed disappointment, saying, "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" [2]. Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns praised Mendoza's impact, stating, "Carlos has led the organization with passion and grace... His 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" [2].
Mendoza was hired before the 2024 season and led the Mets to the 2024 National League Championship Series but missed the playoffs in 2025 and struggled in 2026 [2, 3, 4]. Reports have surfaced that Albert Pujols is among the candidates interested in the managerial vacancy, with Pujols saying, "I'd love to get the opportunity. Who doesn't want to take that job, especially with the history in that town... You have the talent on the field, although this year hasn't been great because of injuries" [6].
