New York Mets Manager Carlos Mendoza Faces Job Pressure Early In Season

And after the team fired much of its coaching staff and brought in so many new players, manager Carlos Mendoza has been the focus of fan frustration, even if that frustration is misplaced.

“Somehow, Mendoza’s job status has morphed into a daily discussion when it shouldn’t be, based on observations from being around the team and an understanding of how the Mets operate,” Will Sammon wrote for The Athletic. “He is in his third year as the Mets’ manager. Last year’s stench and the fact that he’s on the final guaranteed year of his contract make him an easy target for speculation.”

In a large market like New York, it isn’t uncommon for a manager’s job security to come under fire. But more patient and rational observers might point out that the Mets’ issues don’t stem from anything directly attributable to Mendoza, like a lack of preparation or poor in-game adjustments. Instead, the main problem appears to be that proven hitters like Bichette and Lindor are failing to execute in the batter’s box.

New York Mets’ Former GM Gives Carlos Mendoza Short Timeline For Job Pressure

Still, Mendoza won’t be able to avoid more legitimate pressure on his job forever.

“Do I think Carlos is on the hot seat right now? No,” Jim Duquette, who served as the Mets general manager from 2003 to 2004, said on Thursday during an appearance on “Foul Territory.” “But if you get into a month from now or even less than a month from now, and you’re starting to see this team still play the way they are and still having the mental lapses and all of these struggles, I do think he’s going to be getting on the hot seat.”

Just one-tenth of the way into the season, it’s hard to say that any manager is really sitting on a hot seat. But it speaks to the amount of pressure facing the Mets that it could just be a few more weeks before Mendoza faces true threats to his job security.

Last year, the Baltimore Orioles fired Brandon Hyde in mid-May in a surprising decision that could set some precedent for the Mets.

“It’s unfortunate, because I don’t think it’s his fault,” Duquette added. “But the reality of it, as we’ve seen, if there’s one that has to go, it usually is the manager first.”