Mets players make feelings on Carlos Mendoza clear amid losing streak

It was reported last week that New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza was "not in danger of losing his job" even though a Mets team that was once 7-4 had fallen to 7-11 on the season. 

That was before the Mets dropped to 7-15 via a 2-1 extra-innings defeat at the Chicago Cubs on Sunday afternoon. Following that loss, shortstop Francisco Lindor offered his support for Mendoza.

Francisco Lindor says players deserve the blame for the losing streak

"He’s done a fantastic job," Lindor said about Mendoza, per Max Goodman of NJ Advance Media. "This is not on him. He’s made sure everybody here is prepared, every coach here is prepared, and we have the information. It comes down on us."

According to information shared by SNY, the Mets have averaged roughly 1.70 runs per game during this skid. On Sunday, closer Devin Williams blew a one-run lead in the ninth inning before the Cubs walked the Mets off in the 10th. 

"It’s absolutely on us [as players]," Williams said after New York's latest loss. "[Mendoza] doesn’t swing a bat, and he doesn’t throw a baseball. We’ve been in a lot of these games. It’s been close. Him or somebody else is not affecting that. If we’re not getting the job done, somebody else isn’t going to just magically flip a switch, and we’re going to get it done. He’s putting guys in good positions. We’re not performing."

Francisco Lindor shares a harsh reality about the return of Juan Soto

The Mets have been without star outfielder Juan Soto ever since he suffered a right calf strain on April 3. Soto may return as soon as for the Mets' home game versus the Minnesota Twins (11-11) on Tuesday evening, but Lindor understands the team can't rely on one person pulling it out of its current funk.

"Soto is irreplaceable and having him back is going to help us a lot," Lindor said after Sunday's loss, per Colin Martin of SNY. "Hopefully, he is back [soon]. Top three hitters in the league, probably top two? So yeah, he's going to help us a ton. He's going to lengthen our lineup. Even when he comes, we've still got to get it done. It would be unfair to just throw everything on him. As a team, we got to come together and execute, that's what it's going to come down to."

As for Mendoza, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic suggested in a piece published on Monday morning that the skipper may not be "safe" in his job for long if the Mets don't quickly turn things around. Lindor is among the Mets players who think firing Mendoza this spring would be a big mistake. 

"Mendy is our guy," Lindor added on Sunday. "He’s our leader. He’s in control, and he’s done a tremendous job. We just haven’t executed. It would be unfair to put everything on him because, at the end of the day, he has gotten the ship in the right direction. The people are paddling. We gotta paddle and execute."