Mets seemingly have already made huge Carlos Mendoza decision

Rumors about the New York Mets possibly parting ways with manager Carlos Mendoza have hovered over the organization amid a swoon that began back in June. 

Despite all that's gone wrong for the club over the past couple of months, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns insisted on the latest edition of the New York Post's "The Show" podcast that Mendoza's job is safe through at least the start of the 2026 season.

"Oh yeah, Mendy's doing a great job," Stearns told podcast hosts Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman when asked about Mendoza's job security, per Jackson Roberts of Newsweek. "I think he's the right person for this job."

The perception exists that Craig Counsell was Stearns' first choice after the latter officially joined the Mets in October 2023. Counsell worked under Stearns when the two were with the Milwaukee Brewers, but Counsell ultimately signed a record-setting contract to become the Chicago Cubs' manager. 

Meanwhile, the 2024 Mets fell to 22-33 under Mendoza before a players-only meeting called by star shortstop Francisco Lindor seemed to spark a season turnaround. Mendoza's squad subsequently completed a trip to last year's National League Championship Series, and the Mets then ended June 12 of the ongoing campaign with a record of 45-24. 

Since that time, however, the Mets have been one of the most disappointing teams in the league. The Amazins began Tuesday with a record of 70-61, and they trailed the first-place Philadelphia Phillies (76-55) by six games in the NL East standings. That said, the Mets had a wild-card playoff berth when Monday's MLB action wrapped up. 

Stearns' vote of confidence ahead of Labor Day weekend understandably attracted attention, but history shows the situation could change over the season's final month. The 2025 Mets may go down as the new "Worst Team Money Could Buy" if the club responsible for the highest payroll in MLB fails to qualify for the playoffs.  

One can't help but wonder if big-spending owner Steve Cohen would have second thoughts about retaining Mendoza if the Mets fail to give fans any October baseball this coming fall.