Lindor says Mendoza's firing falls on Mets players: We failed him - ESPN

NEW YORK — Hours after the New York Mets fired manager Carlos Mendoza on Friday, prominent members of the organization took turns assuming responsibility for the team's dismal start to the season while lauding Mendoza's credentials, acumen and work ethic.

But president of baseball operations David Stearns said that dismissing Mendoza at the season's midway point after months of backing him was necessary to put the last-place club — ravaged by injuries and underperformance — in the best position to salvage its season with 81 games remaining.

«I was steadfast in my support for Carlos because we believed in Carlos,» Stearns said. «And we believed that collectively, with him helping us lead this, we were going to turn it around. And we haven't. And in some cases, it's gotten worse. And when that happens, at some point, we've got to make a change. So, there's not one moment or one thing or one observation. But it was time, and so we did this.»

Stearns said the decisions to fire Mendoza and name Andy Green, previously the organization's vice president of player development, the interim manager were made in concert with owner Steve Cohen, though Stearns declined to share whether he broached the topic with Cohen or the other way around. Stearns said he communicated the news to Mendoza, the team's manager since the 2024 season, in a meeting Friday morning.

Cohen was at Citi Field on Friday but did not speak to the media.

Shortstop Francisco Lindor and third baseman Bo Bichette, two of the Mets' three highest-paid players, said the blame for the team's 34-47 record falls on the players.

«We failed Mendy,» Lindor said. «I failed Mendy. I didn't play to my capability to help him win as many games as we could. And, yeah, this one's