Mets fire Carlos Mendoza: 5 candidates to be their next manager

The Mets finally fired manager Carlos Mendoza on Friday, following a disastrous four-game sweep by the Chicago Cubs that saw their record plummet to 34-47.

Despite the second-highest payroll in the majors at $365 million, the Mets have been fighting an uphill battle ever since a 12-game losing streak in the first month of the season.

Nearly every move David Stearns, the president of baseball operations, has made this offseason has backfired. Signings of injury-prone players like Jorge Polanco and Luis Robert Jr. have failed — neither player has appeared in a game since April. Bo Bichette, who was inked to a splashy three-year, $126 million deal, has struggled all season. And the Mets have surely missed Pete Alonso, who Stearns let walk in free agency.

The Mets announced that Andy Green, the club’s senior vice president of player development, will serve as the interim manager through the end of the season.

So, who will be the Mets’ next manager? Here are five candidates:

Beltran was hired by the Mets to be their next manager before the 2020 season — but then got caught up in the Astros‘ sign-stealing scandal. But is there a better fit now? He’s been a special assistant to Stearns since 2023, is entering the Mets’ Hall of Fame this season and clearly resonates with the players.

It’ll remain to be seen if the Mets go for another first-time manager, but if they do, Beltran might be the best option.

Cora was fired as the Red Sox‘ manager early this season and has since turned down other managerial opportunities. He’ll certainly be sought-after by the Mets, though. He’s got the managing experience this team needs and having a spend-happy owner like Steve Cohen will make this an attractive opening for any candidate.

Viewed around the league as a rising star and a manager in the making, Correa has had a first-hand look at all that’s gone wrong with the Mets throughout the first half of this season. The players in the Mets’ clubhouse are already familiar with how he operates as Mendoza’s bench coach, but the club could choose to go in a different direction.

Girardi managed the Yankees for a decade, winning a World Series in pinstripes in 2009. The ex-catcher was a rookie manager with the Marlins in 2006 and he also spent three years at the helm of the rival Phillies. His fiery personality is a stark contrast from Mendoza’s mellow persona.

Green will have the second half of the season to audition as the full-time manager as he serves as the interim. He was Padres’ manager from 2016-19. He also spent four years as the Cubs’ bench coach under David Ross.

NOTE: Stearns made it clear during his presser at Citi Field on Friday afternoon that Green will return to a front office role after he spends the rest of this season as the club’s interim manager. At that point, the Mets will conduct a full managerial search.

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