NEW YORK, N.Y.— What in the world has happened to New York baseball?

Much like their crosstown rivals, the New York Mets started the season hot, building a 5.5-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies by June 12. Since then, however, the Metropolitans have stumbled to a dismal 19-31 record and now find themselves trailing the Phillies by the very margin they once enjoyed.

The Mets’ woes can be attributed in large part to the lengthy slumps of their superstar duo—Juan Soto (.200 AVG, 17 H) and Francisco Lindor (.176 AVG, 13 RBI)— over the past month. But should manager Carlos Mendoza shoulder most of the blame for the team’s 1-9 skid in their last 10 games, including seven straight losses?

One of the primary criticisms of Mendoza’s recent managing has been his handling of the bullpen—an issue that proved costly in the Mets’ latest series against the Brewers. His continued faith in struggling reliever Ryne Stanek, coupled with his reluctance to let Edwin Díaz attempt a lengthy save, ultimately backfired.

While there’s been no concrete reporting about Mendoza’s job being in jeopardy, if Steve Cohen and the Mets’ front office decide a managerial shake-up is the key to reversing the team’s downward spiral, which potential replacements might emerge?

Carlos Beltrán

Perhaps the most logical replacement for Mendoza is the man who was once on the verge of managing the team—Carlos Beltrán.

Although Beltrán and the organization agreed for him to become the team’s next manager in November 2019, Mets management ultimately pulled the plug before the season began due to his involvement in the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal.

Now, nearly six years later, MLB’s ire toward the Astros and those involved in the scandal appears to have cooled. Could the climate be calm enough to bring Beltrán back aboard in Queens?

The Mets have already shown a willingness to keep Beltrán in the organization, hiring him as a special assistant to general manager Billy Eppler in 2023. That relationship could help open the door for Beltrán to finally become skipper if the team moves on from Mendoza.

Terry Collins

Steve Cohen invested heavily in building the Mets’ current roster because he believes this team can get to the World Series. If Mendoza is let go, could the Mets turn to the man who most recently led them there in 2015?

Since being released by the Mets in 2017, Collins hasn’t managed, but like Beltrán, he stayed connected to the organization by serving as a special assistant to the general manager from 2018 to 2020, providing input on player development and organizational decisions.

At 76, Collins’ age might make him hesitant to return to the dugout, but Angels manager Ron Washington, who is 73, serves as a strong reminder that age is just a number.

Known for his passion and commitment to strong baseball fundamentals, could the Mets turn to Collins to lead a late-season push, trusting the manager who most recently guided them to the Fall Classic?

Dave Martinez

Earlier this season, Dave Martinez was dismissed by the Washington Nationals, but that wasn’t the whole story. A surprising report soon emerged revealing that GM Mike Rizzo—who was also let go alongside Martinez—lost his job because he initially refused to fire the manager. Now that’s a true display of unwavering faith in a manager.

Sure, the Nationals’ 47-70 record at the bottom of the NL East doesn’t exactly enhance Martinez’s resume at first glance. However, given his remarkable run to a World Series title with Washington in 2019, could his managerial skills rebound to top form if given a much stronger roster—like the Mets’?

A move to Queens would also reunite Martinez with Juan Soto, his star player from that unforgettable 2019 run—an opportunity that might help Soto regain his recent struggling form.

As a New York City native, could his experience managing an NL East team alongside the Mets’ current star mark a true homecoming—and spark a turnaround for the franchise?

Buck Showalter

Could the third time in New York be the charm for Uncle Buck?

After laying the groundwork for the Yankees’ ’90s dynasty and managing the Mets in 2022–2023, the four-time Manager of the Year winner could be a strong candidate to return to New York if Mendoza is relieved of his duties.

While one of the main criticisms during his previous tenure in Queens was his handling of younger talent, the Mets now boast the fifth oldest pitching staff and sixth oldest batting lineup in MLB—an experienced roster that could play well to his managerial strengths.

Buck’s familiarity with the New York baseball landscape would undoubtedly be an asset, and his calm, steady demeanor might be exactly what the Mets need to avoid panic and steer their season back on course.

Bud Black

Long before joining the 1,000-win club, Bud Black was drafted by the Mets in the second round of the 1977 MLB Draft. Though he never played for the team, choosing to stay in college instead, could hiring one of the most experienced managers on the market—and a near-Met—be the mood switch the Metropolitans desperately need?

Black was dismissed by the Rockies in May following a historically poor 7-33 start, but many speculate his firing was a scapegoat move to divert attention from the myriad of other organizational issues Colorado faces.

While the Rockies’ roster hasn’t been strong enough to reach the postseason in recent years, Black still guided the team to back-to-back playoff appearances in 2017 and 2018, demonstrating his ability to maximize limited resources; imagine what he could do with a loaded roster like the Mets’.

Black’s tenure in Colorado made him the franchise’s all-time winningest manager, and given his expertise in managing pitching staffs—the very skill the Mets’ bullpen desperately needs—he may be exactly the leader a big-market team seeking to turn things around deserves.

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