Mets Retain Manager Carlos Mendoza Despite Franchise-Worst Record
New York officials attribute the 10-21 start to systemic issues rather than leadership failures, citing a second-lowest run-scoring average and key player absences.
The New York Mets have confirmed they will not replace manager Carlos Mendoza, despite the club holding Major League Baseball's worst record at 10-21. President of Baseball Operations David Stearns stated on Friday that the organisation does not view the current struggles as a "manager problem" and has no intention of making a change. Mendoza acknowledged the collective frustration felt by owners Steve and Alex Cohen, Stearns, and the staff, affirming his commitment to the role while accepting responsibility for the team's performance.
While the club faces a 12-game losing streak, marking the fourth-worst start in franchise history, Stearns insists the issues extend beyond the dugout. The team's offensive output remains a primary concern, with the squad scoring only 3.42 runs per game, which ranks as the second-fewest in the league. The club also possesses a team 79 OPS+, placing them last in the league, a statistic that Stearns and Mendoza attribute partly to injuries affecting key players such as Francisco Lindor, Jorge Polanco, and Juan Soto.
The retention decision comes amidst a volatile tenure for Mendoza, who is in his third year as manager. His previous season ended with a 39-55 record after the team collapsed from a 45-24 start in June, ultimately missing the playoffs on a tiebreaker with the Cincinnati Reds. Although recent managerial changes in the league, such as those in Boston and Philadelphia, have yielded immediate positive results, the Mets organisation has chosen to maintain the status quo rather than follow suit.
Mendoza's overall record with the franchise over his tenure stands at 72-90, a figure that contrasts sharply with the team's near-$400 million payroll. While run prevention has been described as middle of the pack, the historical poor scoring has defined the season. Mendoza noted that the owners, Stearns, and he are all frustrated, stating that the failure is not in one specific area and that the entire group shares the blame.
The club is scheduled to travel to Anaheim to play the Angels, opening a nine-game west coast trip. Stearns emphasised that the team knows its record is not what they want and believes they are capable of more. The organisation remains focused on the long-term structure and policy of the franchise rather than reacting to the immediate statistical downturn.
