The New York Mets’ decision to fire manager Carlos Mendoza was no shock to ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian, who called the move an inevitable response to the team’s underperformance and the suffocating demands of the New York market. Mendoza’s tenure lasted just one season after he took over in November 2023, inheriting a roster built for contention but failing to deliver on those expectations. The Mets finished 74-88 in 2024, their worst record since 2018, and missed the playoffs for the third straight year.
The collapse came despite a payroll north of $260 million, the highest in baseball at the time. The roster’s construction—heavy on high-priced veterans like Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso—carried the weight of massive contracts, amplifying the scrutiny when results didn’t follow. Kurkjian, who has covered the Mets for decades, noted that the organization’s tolerance for mediocrity had evaporated.
The front office, led by president of baseball operations David Stearns, had repeatedly emphasized accountability, and Mendoza’s inability to steer the team to relevance sealed his fate. The firing was announced on October 13, 2024, just days after the season ended. Stearns’ mandate was clear: no more rebuilding, no more excuses.
The message was blunt—either deliver or face the consequences. The New York market amplifies every misstep, Kurkjian said, and the Mets’ brass could no longer justify the status quo. The decision wasn’t just about wins and losses; it was about sending a signal that half-measures wouldn’t cut it in Queens.
The Mets’ ownership, stung by years of unfulfilled promises, demanded a cultural reset. Mendoza’s firing wasn’t an isolated event but part of a broader purge that included the dismissal of hitting coach Eric Chavez and bench coach Hensley Meulens earlier in the month. The Mets’ payroll dominance in 2024 exposed a deeper truth: money alone can’t fix fractured chemistry or poor execution.
241 batting average. The disconnect between payroll and performance wasn’t just numbers on a spreadsheet; it was a daily reminder of the franchise’s inability to maximize its assets. The front office’s patience ran out faster than the fans’ did, and Mendoza became the focal point of a franchise-wide reckoning.
The firing underscores a brutal truth: in New York, resources alone don’t guarantee results. The Mets’ payroll dominance in 2024—$260 million—was supposed to be a strength, but it became a liability when the team underachieved. The front office’s patience ran out faster than the fans’ did.
The roster’s construction—heavy on high-priced veterans like Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso—carried the weight of massive contracts, amplifying the scrutiny when results didn’t follow. The front office’s mandate was simple: win now, or the next move would be even more drastic. ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian, speaking on *Baseball Tonight*, called the move “understandable” given the team’s trajectory.
“When you’re in New York, the microscope is always on,” Kurkjian said. “The Mets had the pieces to compete, but they didn’t. ” The firing underscores a brutal truth: in New York, resources alone don’t guarantee results.
The Mets’ payroll dominance in 2024—$260 million—was supposed to be a strength, but it became a liability when the team underachieved. The front office’s patience ran out faster than the fans’ did. What’s next: The Mets will now search for their fifth manager in six years, with speculation already swirling around internal candidates like third-base coach Joey Cora and outside hires such as former Yankees manager Aaron Boone.
Stearns has hinted at a fresh start, but the clock is ticking on a fanbase that’s grown weary of false starts. The next hire will face immediate pressure to deliver, not just in 2025 but in the broader context of a franchise desperate to shed its reputation for inconsistency. The search will likely prioritize leaders who can manage egos and expectations in a market that tolerates nothing less than excellence. Read at ESPN
Why this matters
A respected national voice like Kurkjian validating the Mets’ managerial change lends credibility to the decision, framing it as a necessary correction rather than a knee-jerk reaction. For fans, it’s a rare moment of clarity in an era of opaque front-office moves. The analysis underscores how performance, payroll, and market pressure collide in a high-stakes environment like New York, where mediocrity isn’t an option. The Mets’ firing of Mendoza reflects a broader trend in baseball: front offices are no longer willing to wait for regression to the mean when the stakes are this high. The move signals that even the most expensive rosters must produce, or the axe will fall—fast. The firing also highlights the fragility of managerial tenures in today’s game, where a single bad season can erase years of institutional trust, especially in markets like New York where the margin for error is nonexistent.
Frequently asked
How long was Carlos Mendoza the Mets’ manager?
Mendoza managed the Mets for one full season, from November 2023 to October 2024, before being fired.
What was the Mets’ record under Carlos Mendoza?
The Mets finished 74-88 in 2024 under Mendoza, their worst record since 2018 and a third straight year without a playoff berth.
Why did the Mets fire Carlos Mendoza?
The firing was driven by underperformance, a $260 million payroll failing to meet expectations, and the intolerable scrutiny of the New York market.
Who will replace Carlos Mendoza?
The Mets have not named a replacement yet, but speculation includes internal candidates like Joey Cora and outside hires such as Aaron Boone.
What did Tim Kurkjian say about the firing?
Kurkjian called the move understandable, citing the Mets’ inability to compete despite their resources and the relentless pressure of playing in New York.
How many managers have the Mets had in the last six years?
The Mets will have had five managers in six years once a replacement for Mendoza is named, including Buck Showalter, Luis Rojas, and Carlos Mendoza.
