Pressure on David Stearns to turn Mets around with 'fall guy' Carlos Mendoza fired

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Pressure on David Stearns to turn Mets around with 'fall guy' Carlos Mendoza fired

By David Hill | Last updated Jun 26, 2026 8:47 PM ET

The pressure is on New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns to salvage the 2026 season.

Manager Carlos Mendoza became the fall guy for the Mets disappointing start to the season as he was dismissed on Friday.

Stearns had given Mendoza a vote of confidence on May 1, saying that he did not regard the Mets slow start "as a manager problem."

Mendoza may not be the only domino to fall. Stearns was asked if he had considered stepping aside as well. He naturally answered that he had not while saying that he felt the Mets record "is indicative of some of the advances made in the organization."

"I don't believe that our record on the field this year is indicative of some of the advancements that we've made as an organization, but clearly our record is nowhere good enough."

David Stearns addresses the media after the Mets announced Carlos Mendoza's dismissal. pic.twitter.com/xG3BJ0tf95
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) June 26, 2026

Mets need to show improvement or David Stearns could be out the door next

While Stearns and the front office may feel that they are making progress, they will ultimately be judged on the Mets record at the end of the season. As the Mets entered Friday with a 34-47 record and in the NL East basement, those advances are difficult to see.

Likewise, Stearns has not done himself any favors with his offseason moves. His most notable free-agent signings — closer Devin Williams and infielders Bo Bichette and Jorge Polanco — have struggled with the Mets. Second baseman Marcus Semien and outfielder Luis Robert Jr., who Stearns acquired in trades, have also struggled and are both on the injured list.

Stearns is fully aware of the New York Mets record, even if he believes they are better than they have played. If those struggles continue, Stearns has no one else to blame for their failures.

David Hill

Based in the mountains of Vermont, Dave has over a decade of experience writing about all things baseball. Just don't ask his thoughts on the universal DH.

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