It seems like a Thanos-level inevitability that the New York Mets are going to fire manager Carlos Mendoza at the start of their series against the Washington Nationals on Tuesday, tied for the worst record in MLB at 9-19.
A 12-game losing streak dominated most of April, and when they broke the slump with consecutive wins last week, they dropped three of four to one of the worst franchises of the last decade, the Colorado Rockies. It's been a poor start to the season that can't be blamed on a number of major injuries. One of the most expensive rosters in the game has enough talent to be much better than this.
Add in the fact that the Mets had a historic collapse at the end of last season, and it seems highly unlikely that Mendoza is still on the bench by mid-May. So, who can New York turn to in an effort to save the season and become the first team in MLB history to make the playoffs despite a 12-game losing streak?
We're looking to answer that question with seven possible options to take over as Mets manager soon.
Kai Correa, Mets bench coach
The most likely replacement for Mendoza as manager of the Mets will be their new bench coach, Kai Correa. The 37-year-old has been viewed as a manager of the future in MLB circles for the past few years after stints as an assistant with the San Francisco Giants and Cleveland Guardians.
There was also speculation in February that he was hired specifically as a backup plan if Mendoza's struggles continued early this season. Of all the possible options, Correa would likely be team president David Stearns' choice.
Alex Cora, former Red Sox manager
Last weekend, the Boston Red Sox surprised many when they fired manager Alex Cora after eight seasons. While the team has had a few losing seasons under his watch (including an 11-17 start this year), the 50-year-old has had some very good years in Beantown, including a World Series victory in 2018.
Furthermore, he remains one of the most respected managers in the game because he brought the best out of the talent he had. He wasn't the one to trade stars like Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers and Alex Bregman or let them walk. Or continued to spend big to improve the roster despite being in a bigger market.
Although it will be difficult to walk away from the options available in the market and change things, Cora has the respect for the game that will give him a big chance in this.
Joe Girardi, former Phillies and Yankees manager
It's possible that Stearns feels Correa is not ready to be thrust into such a high-pressure situation, or owner Steve Cohen makes a move to bring in a big name to serve as interim manager for the remainder of the season. That's why former New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies manager Joe Girardi could be an option.
Although his performance in Philly was disappointing, he still has a World Series title on his resume (2009 with the Yanks) and is well-versed in handling the New York media. Girardi is one of the few managers available who can jump into such a difficult situation and possibly succeed.
Carlos Beltran, Mets special assistant
In 2019, Mets legend Carlos Beltrán was hired as the team's manager. However, he lost his job due to his involvement in the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal. Nevertheless, he remains a part of the organization as a special assistant and has been associated with other managerial jobs over the years.
Beltran is a well-respected person of the game and his knowledge of the Mets organization is beneficial at this time. Additionally, he may be able to connect with the team's Latin stars better than Mendoza as he was once an elite star in MLB.
David Ross, former Cubs manager
The managerial options for the Mets are few, with the season having just started a few weeks ago. However, one interesting veteran skipper who could be in the game if the team fires Mendoza is former Chicago Cubs manager David Ross.
Although he wasn't amazing in Chi-Town, he was still very solid, and the team had a record of 83–79 before being replaced by Craig Council. If New York is interested in giving a former manager the rest of the season to prove they can do the job long term, Ross is a sensible choice.
Dick Scott, Mets Triple-A manager
Another short-term option with experience who could jump into the job on short notice is current Mets Triple-A manager Dick Scott. He has done a solid job at Syracuse, having been in the game for more than two decades, and previously served as the Mets' bench coach in 2016 and 2017. So he knows the market pressure.
Although he won't be the top choice, the Red Sox turned to their own Triple-A manager, Chad Tracy, to replace Cora last week.
Buck Showalter, Mets manager before Mendoza
Yes, Stearns ousted Buck Showalter from running for president for the first time in 2024. But New York sports fans have seen managers or coaches fired and return in the same role or with another NYC team. Besides, desperate times call for desperate measures, and the experienced coach who can jump into such a messy situation and turn things around is Showalter.
Let's not forget that in 2022, he led the team to its first 100-plus win season since the 1980s. The biggest issue is that this is a team that is built to reach the World Series this autumn, and in more than 22 years as a big league manager, that's something the soon-to-be 70-year-old has never accomplished.
