David Stearns spoke with reporters on Friday after the team announced it was moving on from Carlos Mendoza, and one of the first questions he was asked related to what changed in the front office’s stance on the manager.
After consistently voicing support for Mendoza during the Mets’ struggles this season, Stearns said Friday that there was no specific focus that led to Friday’s decision, rather a continuing downhill trend that now has New York a season-worst 13 games below .500.
“We were steadfast in our support for Carlos,” Stearns said. “I was steadfast in my support for Carlos because we believed in Carlos. We believed that, collectively, with him helping us lead this, we were gonna turn it around, and we haven’t. in some cases, it’s gotten worse. When that happens, at some point, you have to make a change…it was time.”
Stearns told Mendoza Friday morning of the decision to move on and put Andy Green in as interim manager, and that Mendoza, the team’s skipper since 2024, took the news like “an ultimate professional.” Stearns began the press conference by taking responsibility for Friday’s news conference being necessary, but still voiced his belief in the team he constructed and remade in his image this offseason, even while the team sits on the outside looking in of the playoffs for a second straight season.
“Clearly, we’ve fallen short,” Stearns said. “I still have confidence in the talent that’s in our room, and I believe in the talent that’s in our room, but belief on its own does not lead to results. I understand that. We need better play. We need better production.
“I believe that we are building the foundation of an organization that can deliver what we all want. I don’t believe that our record on the field this year is indicative of some of the advancements we’ve made in the organization, but clearly, our record is not good enough.”
Stearns revealed to reporters that Green will return to the front office after the season, meaning he is a true interim manager and the organization will look elsewhere at the end of the season. As for this season, Stearns said he has not even begun to think about the trade deadline at this point, though it seems he will be in charge of whatever moves are made at the deadline and beyond, as he told reporters that he still has full support from Steve Cohen.
“Steve and I are talking on a regular basis,” Stearns said. “And he’s certainly indicated that I have his support.”
The Mets executive also revealed he still has Steve Cohen's full support
The Mets executive also revealed he still has Steve Cohen's full support
