Just two weeks ago, Mets president David Stearns publicly backed Carlos Mendoza, saying he was “the right person” to manage the team. However, the situation changed quickly. With a 76-70 record and a disastrous series against the Phillies, doubts about the Venezuelan strategist’s continuity are intensifying in Queens.
Carlos Beltran’s shadow
Journalist Mark C. Healey warned that if the Mets fail to make the postseason, Mendoza may not have much wiggle room. In that scenario, the name of Carlos Beltran would be strongly considered again. The Puerto Rican had already been chosen as manager in 2019, but his contract was annulled by the sign-stealing scandal with the Astros. Today, after returning to the club as an assistant in 2023, his profile is once again gaining prominence.
In addition to Beltran, the Mets could opt for a return of Buck Showalter, who managed the team between 2022 and 2023 and is a four-time Manager of the Year. Even so, the front office could also surprise with a candidate with no previous relationship with the organization, something that would not be strange considering the volatility of the franchise’s decisions in recent years.
Five consecutive defeats complicate the outlook
The 11-3 thrashing at the hands of the Phillies extended the losing streak to five games. The bullpen, which was solid after the trade deadline, looks vulnerable, while the offense has lost consistency. Despite the bad moment, the Mets still hold the last wild card spot in the National League, two games ahead of the Giants with 16 games remaining to determine their fate.
Players such as Francisco Lindor and Clay Holmes called for optimism and resilience, although they acknowledged that they must raise their level immediately. The contrast is evident: this same team led the league with a 45-24 record in June, but since then it has accumulated three months of irregularity that today has them on the verge of collapse. The margin for error is minimal, and Mendoza’s future depends, more than ever, on what the Mets do in this stretch run.
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