Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Luis Rojas had little control of his job.
After 222 games as manager, the Mets decided to end Rojas’ tenure. The 40-year old brother of former Met Moises Alou and son of long-time MLB player and manager Felipe Alou went 103-119 in his two seasons. His .464 winning percentage is higher than Hall of Famer Joe Torre‘s run from 1977-81 as manager.
But with lofty expectations and unprecedented circumstances, the Mets decided to go in a different direction this offseason.
Rojas joins Bud Harrelson and Art Howe as managers that lasted two seasons. Only 11 of 22 managers in franchise history have reached the third season. Terry Collins, Davey Johnson, and Bobby Valentine share the title for most seasons as manager at seven.
It’s a disappointing conclusion for Rojas who has spent 16 years with the Mets in various capacities. In 2019 he rose to the majors as a quality control coach then was hired as manager in 2020, following the joint organizational decision Carlos Beltran should step down because of his role in the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal.
He wasn’t their first choice but he was needed for stability. Unknown at the times was the 2020 season wouldn’t start until July, last only 60 games, with zero fans, and the constant fear of a positive Covid test lurking over every shoulder.
Rojas filled his role admirably. The Mets’ expectations couldn’t be set too high with Michael Wacha and Rick Porcello pitching every five days in 2020. New York then fired GM Brodie Van Wagenen and changed ownership that offseason. Rojas’ job was already being discussed as lost.
It behooved the Mets to keep at least one staff member consistent, and that was Rojas. They’re now searching for their fifth manager in six years.
With the entrance of Steve Cohen, the offseason addition and extension of Francisco Lindor, overhauling a pitching staff with Noah Syndergaard, Carlos Carrasco, Marcus Stroman, Taijuan Walker, plus the team already in place, 2021 was supposed to be a return to the World Series. Instead, they returned to third place where they’ve sat the majority of the last decade.
Rojas acknowledged it’s a results-driven business in a statement released by the team.
“I want to share such heartfelt gratitude to so many in the Mets organization for not only the last two seasons as manager, but for the last 16 years in a variety of roles,” Rojas said. “In each and every position I held, striving for excellence was our daily mission. I will always hold the relationships and friendships, developed over the years, dear to my heart, and am forever grateful to have been able to wear the Mets uniform for so long. We live in a results-oriented business, and am deeply disappointed for our staff and fans that we didn’t reach our goals this season.”
The Mets have offered a yet-to-be-determined role to Rojas to remain with the organization.
Rojas had to manage through the craziest season in baseball history. Then in 2021, he had to put out lineups featuring Cameron Maybin and Johneshwy Fargas, then dealt with the severe drop-offs in performance by J.D. Davis, Jeff McNeil, Michael Conforto, and Dominic Smith.
The players loved Rojas in the clubhouse. Ron Darling gave his thoughts on a Sept. 29 broadcast.
“So they’re saying that their environment to succeed as players is given. It’s good. You make a decision on what he’s done on the field is it good or bad? Everyone has their own opinion,” Darling said. “But to blame what has happened on a manager who has very little involvement in the process of what’s going on seems strange to me and a little absurd at times.”
Rojas, like every other manager in baseball history, made mistakes. Some deserved criticism. His admittance of being unaware of certain situations within the clubhouse also deserves critique. Rojas claimed he was unaware of the meaning behind the thumbs-down gesture. A controversy that lasted four days because of how quickly things move in New York.
“The entire Mets organization is grateful for the dedication and devotion that Luis has exhibited over the last two seasons as manager,” Mets President Sandy Alderson said in a statement. “He has shown a great commitment to the Mets over many years in multiple capacities. These decisions are never easy, but we feel a change is needed at this time.”
The Mets are overhauling once again. Maybe this time the team will play well enough for a manager to keep his job.
