The New York Mets’ 2025 season is over. New York will officially miss the playoffs despite sky-high expectations entering the season following their blockbuster signing of Juan Soto.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza is sure to face intense scrutiny in the coming hours, days and weeks as fans and analysts debate whether his leadership warrants another chance, or a firing after two seasons at the helm.
While some will argue that Mendoza’s tactical missteps contributed to the Mets’ lackluster season, others will point to external factors beyond his control, and/or to New York’s abominable pitching.
Mendoza is still under contract for another season, and New York has a club option with him for 2027.
Last season, Mendoza’s debut campaign, the Mets engineered a stunning turnaround from a dismal start, finishing 89-73 and advancing to the NLCS before falling to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The club’s resilience earned Mendoza praise for fostering team chemistry and making bold lineup adjustments.
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Yet, 2025 has been a stark contrast. After inking Soto to a record 15-year, $765 million deal in December, the Mets entered the year as one of the National League favorites, boasting a potent lineup and revamped rotation. However, the Mets were plagued by injuries to key pitchers and inconsistent offense all year long.
Sunday’s defeat in game No. 162 stung even more for New York, as the Cincinnati Reds dropped their game to the Milwaukee Brewers, meaning a Mets victory would have secured a wild-card berth.
Some people will blame Mendoza for not doing a better job of maximizing the 2025 Mets and their star-studded roster. In particular, New York couldn’t get it together down the stretch, losing five of its final eight games.
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On the flip side, supporters of Mendoza will point to New York’s awful pitching (due to both injuries and under-performance), and the fact that Mendoza is still only 45 years old and was awesome last year.
What’s more, New York’s front office deserves blame for whiffing on some deadline acquisitions like Ryan Helsley.
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Ultimately, firing Mendoza would likely do more harm than good, as it would risk instability. The Mets promise to have a ton of talent on the roster again in 2026, and Mendoza deserves at least one more shot at it.
Featured image via Brett Davis/Imagn Images
