We now know who the Mets new manager is, and it’s someone many of us didn’t think of. When our team shared our thoughts on who the next manager should be, not one of us said Carlos Mendoza. Well, here we are and from the looks of social media, most Mets fans also didn’t think of him as our next Mets manager. What are our thoughts on the hiring?
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
John Sheridan
David Stearns was entreated to hire the next Mets manager, not to hire Craig Counsell. Obviously, we all expected that man was going to be Counsell.
Some may say if a guy without managerial experience, why not Carlos Beltran? That overlooks Carlos Mendoza having actual coaching experience.
Mendoza has been on the radar for a few years. His players seemed to love him. When you look around, there’s enough here to really like this hire.
In the end, we don’t know if he will succeed or fail. At this point, we just have to trust Stearns knows what he’s doing and wait to see the roster he builds.
Mojo Hill
I can’t deny being somewhat underwhelmed by this hire. But, at the same time, I can’t claim to be an expert on Carlos Mendoza’s managing skills — especially when he’s never managed at the major league level before.
I would have felt much more comfortable with Craig Counsell, given his experience and track record. The Mets have struggled to find leadership positions to stick in recent years, and hiring a rookie just feels like bringing on another person who’s only going to last a year or two. Of course, I could be completely wrong, and I still have a solid amount of faith in David Stearns getting this franchise back on track. If he thinks Mendoza is the answer, then great, let’s see it. As a fan, though, you can’t help but be more skeptical of a new manager you’re likely not too familiar with — especially when none of the recent ones have really worked out.
The jury is mostly still out on Mendoza, so it’ll be an interesting storyline to follow to see how he does in his first year with his second New York team. Counsell would have been a safer bet, but this is the hand Mets fans were dealt, so let’s see if this one works out.
Christian De Block
Craig Counsell felt like sensible addition from the moment David Stearns was brought into the New York Mets organization. As a result, it seemed as if fans were disappointed when the news broke that Carlos Mendoza was hired. Mendoza does not have the same kind of experience that Counsell has at the big league level, but that does not mean he won’t be a successful replacement for Buck Showalter.
Mendoza is highly regarded amongst his peers, as one rival GM said, “I think Carlos Mendoza is going to be a really good manager.” The Mets have struggled under first-time managers in recent memory, but that does not mean Mendoza cannot win in New York. He has good understanding of the pressure of performing in this market, and he deserves the opportunity to prove the critics wrong.
Johnluke Chaparro
I’m not going to sit here and pretend I knew all about Carlos Mendoza, only for the fact that he took over for Aaron Boone a few times after he was ejected. Counsell didn’t seem like he wanted to be here, so it’s nice to hire someone who actually might want to manage the Mets.
The Mets don’t have a strong track record of hiring first-time managers as of late but the circumstances are slightly different here. There’s someone, in Stearns, who is going to have a more hands on approach along with developing a relationship with the man leading his club. That, in itself, should eradicate a lot of the issues from previous instances.
As for Mendoza himself, although he doesn’t have any official major league managing experience, it seems like he can garner the respect of the people around him. Having done some research on him for the website, it looks like the Mets might have found a diamond in the rough. Other teams hire first time managers and it works out for them, so why not us?
It’s only fair that we, as fans, give him a chance to succeed, as we did with Buck, Terry and other successful Mets managers in the past.
Patrick Glynn
My reaction is I don’t have much of one? And I think that’s a good thing? I’ll take the reporting of his great reputation. I’ll also take that he’s been coaching in New York at the MLB level for four and knows the pressure of it. And I’ll also take that he made a good enough impression that Stearns/Cohen felt like they didn’t need to operate as Cohen or bust. He was clearly more than a decoy in the interview process. (He clearly interviewed well with other teams, too.)
Excited to see his press conference and learn more about him, but those first couple of game scenarios in late March ought to be fun. That’s what Mets fans really want to see.
Chris Bello
My initial reaction to Carlos Mendoza’s hiring was surprise. The Counsell sweepstakes were still going on to the public and then Heyman and Sherman dropped the tweet (Or X? Idk).
Now that I’ve digested the news, I like the hire. The players and media have praised Mendoza, and he’s coming from a Yankee bench that has made the postseason four out of the five times he’s been a coach.
My expectations are set at a medium. It’s going to be Stearns’ first year with a new, well, everything. It might not start with a World Series trophy, but the foundation to win right away is there. If Stearns trusts Mendoza to guide the ship then so do I.
Matt Mancuso
Mendoza brings a bevy of New York experience with him to Queens. What’s not to like?
I have full faith in David Stearns and his crew, the ones that will truly be pulling the strings in terms of roster management and lineups. In a modern skipper’s seat, Mendoza’s role revolves around media responsibilities and solving locker room spats. In the Bronx, it seems like he’s done just so in an exemplary way. Players from the Yankees have gone out of their way to speak positively to the media about Mendoza’s credentials. In a town where players and coaches are forced to sink or swim quickly, that speaks volume. Maybe Mendoza isn’t the home run hire that Craig Counsell would’ve represented, but I’ll settle the bases-clearing double.
Rich Sparago
At first, I was surprised by the Mendoza hire. Counsell seemed like a sure bet. As I processed it more, the hire made better sense. The reality is that the Mets are in a multi-year rebuild. They have gaping holes on the roster (six bullpen arms, a legitimate DH, a corner outfielder, and three starters). They have said that they are not going big on spending, nor will they trade valuable pieces. Both are logical positions, but both point to punting the next season two while the younger talent develops. Steve Cohen has said that he does not like people “learning on his dime.”
The Mendoza hire may be the exception. Mendoza will have a year or two to grow into his role while expectations are low, as the team forms around him. The hire seems consistent with the rest of the plan. The focus is on the intermediate to long-term, so hiring a manager with no major league experience is less surprising than it was at first glance.
Michelle Ioannou
Just like everyone else, I was surprised by the hiring. But I will say, I do like the fact that he has experience with the New York market. It does take a certain personality and attitude to do well in NYC, and having some experience in the Bronx should definitely help him in Queens.
After reading more about Mendoza, he does come with high praise. Let’s see how this goes!
If you haven’t already gotten to know Mendoza, take a couple of minutes and do so.
