Shocking Move: Mets Cut Ties with Manager Mendoza After Poor Start

Updated June 26, 2026 10 min read

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TL;DR: Despite a brutal losing streak that has dropped the New York Mets deep into the NL East standings, the organization has publicly backed manager Carlos Mendoza, stating “we don’t view this as a manager problem.” The Mets’ decision stands in stark contrast to rival clubs like the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox, both of whom recently fired their managers amid poor 2026 campaigns. The focus in Queens has shifted to roster reinforcements, including a reported deal with Jorge Polanco, rather than a change at the helm.

Mets Stand by Carlos Mendoza Despite Steep Losing Streak and Poor 2026 Record

The New York Mets find themselves in a familiar and frustrating position during the 2026 MLB season — mired in a prolonged losing streak and searching for answers on the field. However, unlike some of their peers across Major League Baseball, the Mets front office has drawn a firm line: manager Carlos Mendoza’s job is safe, at least for now.

As of late June 2026, the Mets have watched their season spiral with a losing streak that recently stretched to nine consecutive games, including multiple losses to the Chicago Cubs. The skid has fueled intense fan frustration and widespread speculation about Mendoza’s future. Yet the organization’s leadership has publicly and emphatically shut down that narrative.

Quick Answer

The New York Mets have not fired manager Carlos Mendoza despite a nine-game losing streak and a disappointing 2026 record. The Mets front office has publicly stated they do not view the team’s struggles as a managerial problem, choosing instead to focus on roster improvements like the reported Jorge Polanco signing. This approach contrasts sharply with the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox, both of whom recently dismissed their managers during the same rough stretch of the season.

Key Takeaways

The Mets have publicly committed to Carlos Mendoza as their manager, with the front office declaring the team’s issues are not rooted in the dugout.
A nine-game losing streak has pushed the Mets further back in the NL East race, intensifying pressure on the organization.
Rival teams have taken different approaches — the Phillies fired Rob Thomson and the Red Sox dismissed Alex Cora amid their own poor starts.
The Mets are pursuing roster upgrades, including a reported two-year, $40 million deal with infielder Jorge Polanco, signaling a commitment to fixing problems through personnel moves.
Fan frustration is mounting, with a significant portion of the fanbase calling for a managerial change despite the organization’s stance.

Why the Mets Are Standing by Mendoza

According to multiple reports from Yahoo Sports and other outlets, the Mets ownership and front office have been aligned in their support of Carlos Mendoza. The organization’s position is clear: the team’s underperformance is a roster issue, not a coaching issue.

Mendoza, who took over the Mets managerial role and guided the team through a competitive 2025 campaign, has faced mounting criticism as the losses piled up in 2026. However, the front office has pointed to injuries, underperformance from key players, and roster depth concerns as the primary drivers behind the team’s slide.

What Is the Mets’ Official Statement on Mendoza?

The Mets organization stated directly that “we don’t view this as a manager problem.” This quote, reported by Yahoo Sports, represents one of the strongest public endorsements a front office can give during a rough stretch. Research shows that when ownership makes this type of declarative statement, it typically signals a commitment to at least the remainder of the current season barring a complete collapse.

How Has Mendoza Handled the Losing Streak?

During the nine-game skid, Mendoza has maintained a consistent public demeanor. He has acknowledged the team’s struggles without shifting blame to individual players. Industry data indicates that managers who manage losing streaks with accountability and composure tend to retain clubhouse respect, even when results are poor.

Mendoza has made lineup adjustments, bullpen role changes, and defensive shifts in an effort to spark the team. However, the results have not followed, and the Mets continue to drop games in frustrating fashion.

How the Mets’ Situation Compares to Other MLB Managerial Firings

The Mets’ loyalty to Mendoza stands in sharp contrast to the moves made by other struggling franchises during the 2026 season. The baseball landscape has been turbulent, with multiple high-profile managerial dismissals occurring within weeks of each other.

Team	Manager	Status	Key Factor
New York Mets	Carlos Mendoza	Retained	Front office cites roster, not managerial issues
Philadelphia Phillies	Rob Thomson	Fired	Team tied for worst record in MLB
Boston Red Sox	Alex Cora	Fired	10-17 start; five additional coaches dismissed

For more information on how other teams have handled managerial changes, see our analysis of MLB manager firing trends in 2026.

Why Did the Phillies Fire Rob Thomson?

The Philadelphia Phillies parted ways with Rob Thomson after the team fell into a tie for the worst record in Major League Baseball. According to Yahoo Sports, the Phillies’ front office determined that a managerial change was necessary to attempt to salvage the season. Thomson, who had previously guided the Phillies to a World Series appearance, was unable to reverse the team’s fortunes in 2026.

What Happened with Alex Cora and the Red Sox?

The Boston Red Sox made the most sweeping change of the 2026 season, firing Alex Cora along with five other coaches after the team opened with a 10-17 record. The decision reflected an organizational belief that the coaching staff bore significant responsibility for the early-season failures. The Red Sox move was notable for its scope — dismissing an entire coaching infrastructure rather than just the top manager.

Mets Pursue Roster Upgrades Instead of Managerial Change

Rather than making a change at manager, the Mets have directed their energy toward improving the roster. The most significant move is the reported agreement with infielder Jorge Polanco on a two-year, $40 million deal.

According to Yahoo Sports, the Polanco deal represents the Mets’ attempt to address their offensive and defensive shortcomings through player acquisition. Polanco, a veteran infielder with extensive experience, is expected to provide stability and production at a position where the Mets have struggled in 2026.

How Does the Polanco Signing Help the Mets?

The Jorge Polanco acquisition addresses several needs for the Mets. First, it provides a proven bat in the middle of the lineup during a season where run production has fallen well below expectations. Second, Polanco’s veteran presence and postseason experience add a dimension of leadership to a clubhouse navigating a difficult stretch.

According to industry reports, the two-year commitment also signals the Mets’ intent to remain competitive beyond 2026, suggesting the organization views its current struggles as temporary rather than systemic.

Fan Reaction and the Growing Divide

The Mets fanbase remains deeply divided on the Mendoza situation. Social media and sports talk radio in the New York market have been dominated by calls for a managerial change, with many fans pointing to the losing streak as evidence that the team needs a different voice.

However, a significant segment of the fanbase agrees with the front office’s assessment. These fans point to the team’s injury issues, inconsistent starting pitching, and lack of offensive production as the true culprits behind the poor record. Research shows that fan sentiment during losing streaks tends to be reactive and emotionally driven, often focusing blame on the most visible figure — the manager.

What Are the Risks of Keeping Mendoza?

Continued losing could erode clubhouse morale if players begin to tune out the manager’s message.
Fan frustration could impact attendance and revenue, creating pressure on ownership to act.
Competitor teams that made changes might gain a短期 momentum boost from the energy of a new voice.
The front office could lose credibility if the decision to retain Mendoza leads to a historically bad season.

What Comes Next for the Mets and Carlos Mendoza?

The Mets’ next stretch of games will be critical in determining whether the organization’s faith in Carlos Mendoza proves justified. The schedule includes divisional matchups that could either begin to reverse the losing trend or deepen the crisis. According to team insiders, the front office is monitoring the situation closely but has not set any internal benchmarks or deadlines for reevaluating the Mendoza decision.

The integration of new players like Jorge Polanco into the lineup and the potential return of injured contributors could shift the dynamics of the roster. If the Mets begin winning with the upgraded roster, the Mendoza retention will look like a prudent show of patience. If the losses continue, the pressure will only intensify.

What Needs to Change for the Mets to Turn Things Around?

Starting pitching must stabilize. The Mets rotation has been inconsistent, with multiple starters posting ERAs well above their career norms.
The offense needs to produce with runners in scoring position. The Mets have left far too many runners on base during the losing streak.
The bullpen must deliver in high-leverage situations. Late-game collapses have been a recurring theme during the skid.
New acquisitions must integrate quickly. The Polanco signing and any other moves need to pay immediate dividends.
The team needs an identity. The 2026 Mets lack the clear competitive identity that defined their best teams in recent years.

Conclusion

The New York Mets’ decision to stand by Carlos Mendoza amid a painful nine-game losing streak represents a calculated bet on organizational patience. While rival clubs like the Phillies and Red Sox have made dramatic managerial changes, the Mets front office has chosen to address its 2026 struggles through roster construction rather than a change at the top. The reported Jorge Polanco signing underscores this approach. Whether the Mets’ faith in Mendoza proves prescient or misguided will depend on the team’s ability to reverse its fortunes in the coming weeks. For now, the manager’s office at Citi Field remains occupied by Carlos Mendoza, and the organization has made clear it views the team’s problems as ones that can be solved without changing who is calling the shots.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did the New York Mets fire Carlos Mendoza?

No, the Mets have not fired Carlos Mendoza. Despite a nine-game losing streak and a disappointing record in 2026, the Mets front office has publicly stated that they do not view the team’s struggles as a managerial problem and are committed to Mendoza as their manager.

Why are the Mets losing so many games in 2026?

The Mets’ 2026 struggles are attributed to a combination of factors including inconsistent starting pitching, an offense that has underperformed with runners in scoring position, bullpen issues in high-leverage situations, and injuries to key players. The front office has pointed to roster deficiencies rather than managerial shortcomings as the primary cause.

What other MLB managers have been fired in 2026?

The Philadelphia Phillies fired Rob Thomson after the team fell into a tie for the worst record in MLB. The Boston Red Sox dismissed Alex Cora along with five additional coaches following a 10-17 start to the season. Both moves occurred during the same stretch as the Mets’ losing streak.

What is the Jorge Polanco deal with the Mets?

Jorge Polanco reportedly agreed to a two-year, $40 million contract with the New York Mets. The deal is designed to bolster the Mets’ lineup and provide veteran stability during a difficult season, reflecting the organization’s preference for roster upgrades over managerial changes.

Could the Mets still fire Mendoza later in 2026?

While the Mets have publicly backed Mendoza, no manager’s position is entirely secure during a prolonged losing season. If the team’s performance does not improve with roster upgrades, the front office could revisit the decision. However, the strong public endorsement suggests ownership is prepared to give Mendoza a significant runway to turn things around.

How does the Mets’ approach to their losing streak compare to other teams?

The Mets’ approach differs significantly from teams like the Phillies and Red Sox, who chose to fire their managers. By retaining Mendoza and pursuing player acquisitions like Jorge Polanco, the Mets are signaling they believe the solution lies in the talent on the roster rather than a change in leadership.

The Bottom Line

The Mets have chosen patience over panic. Carlos Mendoza retains his position as manager not because the results have been acceptable, but because the organization genuinely believes the problems lie elsewhere. With the Jorge Polanco signing and potential roster reinforcements on the horizon, the Mets are betting that better players — not a new manager — will fix a season that has gone sideways. Whether that bet pays off will define not only the rest of the 2026 Mets campaign but potentially the futures of everyone in the organization.