Francisco Lindor didn’t sugarcoat it. After the New York Mets fired manager Carlos Mendoza on Friday, the star shortstop told reporters he was shocked. And yeah, he admitted it hurts.
“He’s a great man, he’s a great family man, and somebody that we appreciate, we care for him, and yeah, it was shocking news,” Lindor said, via SNY. “But obviously, this is a decision to Stearns and the rest of the organization felt like it was going to be best for the organization at the moment.”
The Mets made the move after a brutal 34-47 start to the 2026 season, putting them dead last in the NL East. That’s not what anyone expected from a team that came into this year with real playoff aspirations. Mendoza was hired in late 2023 and this was only his third season at the helm, but the front office, led by David Stearns, decided enough was enough.
Lindor’s message to the fans
Lindor didn’t just talk about the manager’s exit. He also had a direct message for Mets fans who are, understandably, frustrated.
“To stick with us. We haven’t performed to the way we’re supposed to be performing. We’re going to continue to fight day in and day out. The season is not over,” Lindor said. “We have a responsibility, and that’s to win as many games as we can, and I appreciate your support, and yeah, this sucks, but it is on us to turn it around.”
It’s a tough sell right now. The Mets have been inconsistent at the plate, the pitching staff has dealt with injuries, and the bullpen has blown too many late leads. Lindor himself has had an up-and-down year — solid defense as always, but the bat hasn’t carried the lineup the way it needed to.
Still, there are 81 games left. That’s a lot of baseball. A hot stretch could pull them back into the wild-card picture, but the NL East is a gauntlet and every loss feels heavier now.
What’s next for the Mets
The team has not named an interim manager yet, but bench coach Eric Chavez is the obvious candidate to take over on a temporary basis. Stearns said in a press conference Friday that the search for a permanent replacement will begin immediately, though he didn’t give a timeline. Expect names like Buck Showalter (again?), Craig Counsell (though he’s under contract in Chicago), or maybe a first-time candidate like Chavez to get some buzz.
As for Lindor, he’s locked in long-term. He’s the face of the franchise now, for better or worse. He’s not going anywhere. And if the Mets are going to pull out of this nosedive, he’s going to have to lead the way.
But for today, it’s about a manager who lost his job.
Lindor summed it up pretty simply: “This sucks, but it is on us to turn it around.”
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