Following a harsh second half, the New York Mets failed to secure a playoff spot. In the face of criticism throughout the organization, head coach Carlos Mendoza was spared by the leadership, and baseball operations chief David Stearns promptly confirmed Mendoza will remain for the 2026 season.
Stearns stated: “This season has been extremely disappointing. We had very high expectations, so the frustration is immense. As the architect of the team, I take responsibility. We need to improve, especially in defense and preventing runs. While some players performed well, we couldn’t consistently generate offense. Yes, Mendoza will continue to coach next year. I believe he has all the necessary skills; he’s a great head coach. Despite this year’s poor results, I still trust he will achieve success in the future.”
In the final regular-season game, fans held up signs reading: “Uncle Steve, we set a new attendance record of 3.18 million this year. Where is our playoff spot? This is the worst baseball team in the world.”
Mets owner Steve Cohen issued a public apology, expressing regret that despite spending $340 million on team payroll and luxury tax, expectations were unmet: “To all Mets fans worldwide, I owe you an apology. You came out to support the team, but we failed to deliver. We will conduct a thorough analysis to understand why the team underperformed. This outcome is unacceptable. Your passion and concern are the driving force for the team’s progress. Thank you to the best fans in the world.”
Inside the team, major news broke as star slugger “Polar Bear” Pete Alonso announced his intention to opt out of his contract and enter free agency; meanwhile, star closer Edwin Díaz may also exercise his opt-out clause, significantly increasing offseason uncertainty for the Mets.
This might just be the beginning of a chain reaction. The 31-year-old closer Díaz signed a 5-year, $102 million deal with the Mets in 2022 and holds an opt-out clause for 2025. This season, he appeared in 62 games, posting a 1.63 ERA, 98 strikeouts, and 28 saves, maintaining elite league-level performance. Former Met Rico Brogna openly stated, “He should test the free agent market.”
Sports Illustrated analyzed that if Díaz opts out, the Dodgers would be the frontrunner to sign him. The Dodgers’ bullpen has been unstable—closer Tanner Scott recorded 10 blown saves this season and needs reinforcement. With ample financial resources, the Dodgers are considered the most capable to acquire Díaz. Additionally, the Yankees, Blue Jays, and Warriors are also potential contenders.
If both Alonso and Díaz depart simultaneously, the Mets’ rebuilding effort will face an even greater crisis. Inside the organization, voices have already said, “We can’t avoid making changes this winter.” Outside observers widely agree that Díaz’s decision will not only impact the Mets but could also reshape the competitive landscape of the National League next year.