The Mets Are Inexplicably Keeping Carlos Mendoza As Manager In 2026

Miguel Rodríguez. Shutterstock Images.

The man who many fans blame for ruining the 2025 Mets season will be back to try his hand at ruining 2026. 

SOURCE - Carlos Mendoza will return as the Mets manager in 2026, general manager David Stearns said on Monday, a day after the team was eliminated from postseason contention with a Game 162 loss to the Marlins.

Beyond Mendoza's return, Stearns said the team will make decisions on its coaches in the coming week after "an evaluation of our entire coaching staff."

Don't be mistaken. Other teams are firing managers. The Giants fired 3-time Manager Of The Year Bob Melvin today. The Twins   also fired 2019 Manager Of The Year Rocco Baldelli this afternoon. These are two managers I would prefer to see leading this team than Mendoza. Ex-Mariner Scott Servais is out there as well. Give me any of those guys.

I don't know how you can bring this guy back. It sounds like they are going to overhaul the coaching staff so hitting coach Eric Chavez and pitching coach Jeremy Hefner are far from safe. If the Mets don't get off to a very good start next year, all eyes and fury are going to be directed on Mendoza. He's going to be the scapegoat for every Mets problem, issue or loss until he either gets fired or the Mets go on a deep playoff run. 

To be fair, the 2025 Mets Collapse was not all Mendoza's fault. I hated his quick hook this season but it's not his fault that Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas were not pitchable this season. Mark Vientos taking a big step back isn't on Mendoza. He also didn't injure Manaea, Kodai Senga, Griffin Canning or Tylor Megill. But, you also can't fire the whole team. A new manager is not a cure-all but it can help give a team a slight edge. Never forget how this team kept losing and losing since June 13th and Mendoza was left in the dugout with a confused face and zero answers.

It's wild to me to make a call on Mendoza this quickly. You really don't want to think about this one a little bit? This isn't 1989 Tony LaRussa or 2010 Bruce Bochy. It's Carlos Mendoza. At his best, he's fine.

Well, I've also seen him at his worst and I've had enough. If David Stearn and Steve Cohen think that Mendoza can give interviews and talk during Spring Training without fans seething, they are very out of touch. The next time Mendoza does anything wrong, this entire fan base is going to be ready to jump down his throat.

The honeymoon is long over. Carlos Mendoza better win fast in 2025. Willie Randolph didn't in 2008…and never managed again.