The New York Mets currently own a 9-19 record. Before the season started, no one expected the team to play so poorly. From fans to media, a sense of shock fell over the franchise. With that said, in order to potentially emerge from the abyss of losing, the team could make a change.
Granted, New York cannot jettison the entire team. As a result, the manager, Carlos Mendoza, could be the person to take the fall. However, the president of baseball operations, David Stearns, will not have one managerial candidate at the ready. According to MLB insider John Heyman, former Red Sox manager Alex Cora is not a candidate.
“I accepted to be a full-time dad.”
The Philadelphia Phillies offered Cora the opportunity to serve as a bench coach for new skipper Don Mattingly after they fired Rob Thompson.
GettyFormer Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora
Cora’s Firing Could Portend Mendoza’s Exit
On the outside, how the Red Sox fired Cora could be a harbinger of Mendoza’s possible Queens exits. Both managers work for franchises in cities with massive expectations. Not to mention, the investment that the team placed in the roster via trades and free agent money mandated success.
GettyAlex Cora
GettyFormer Bosto Red Sox manager Alex Cora.
Most importantly, each manager worked for a general manager who appeared narrowly focused on the way he wanted to conduct business. The major difference is that Cora’s tenure and success predate Breslow’s. He managed Boston to a World Series championship in 2018.
GettyAlex Cora
Meanwhile, Stearns handpicked Mendoza to lead the Mets, firing Buck Showalter to make room. Right now, Mendoza boasts a .514 winning percentage. For a small-market team that cannot boost the payroll, that mark would be considered outstanding.
However, playing in the largest media market in the country for a fanbase that demands better, Mendoza’s seat could be a hot seat. Cora made the playoffs three times. Pat Ragazzo from Sports Illustrated placed Mendoza’s struggles into focus.
“In addition to being 10 games below .500, the Mets, who were a league-best 45-24 to start last year, finished the 2025 season with a 38-55 record and missed the postseason by one game. Since June 13 of last season, the Mets are an abysmal 47-74.”
If the Mets do fire Mendoza, the troubles started with last year’s collapse. With a 5.5-game lead, everything fell apart for the ball club. Stearns defended Stearns all summer. In the offseason, he promised moves that would help erase the sour metaphorical taste in the mouths of the organization and its fanbase. Ragazzo discussed Mendoza’s path and his early successes.
“Mendoza is in his third season as the Mets’ manager. In year one, Mendoza’s Mets began the year a dismal 22-33 in 2024. However, they went on to go 67-40 the rest of the way to snatch a Wild Card berth. They proceeded to go on a run to the NLCS, where they fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games.”
Managing for his job?
With names like Andy Green and Carlos Beltran hovering, Mendoza’s team will play three games against the Washington Nationals before a nine-game Western road trip. Where every series feels like a must-win, Mendoza may not have Cora to worry about, but can he keep his job?
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