Cubs Sweep Costs Mets Manager His Job: Carlos Mendoza Fired, Andy Green Steps In

A disastrous series at Wrigley Field proved to be the final straw for the New York Mets, who fired manager Carlos Mendoza on Friday after being swept by the Chicago Cubs — a defeat that extended New York's losing streak to six games and left the $358 million roster among the sport's biggest disappointments.

A Season Gone Wrong

The Mets enter the season's midpoint at 34-47, sitting 15 games behind NL East-leading Atlanta and 9.5 games out of the last wild-card spot. The Cubs sweep, which included a demoralizing doubleheader in which New York committed six errors in a single game — their most since 2014 — served as a breaking point for owner Steve Cohen.

"Our commitment to bringing our fans a championship-caliber team has not changed," Cohen said in a statement. "There is no sugar-coating it: This season has been a disappointment and our fans deserve better than what we've delivered."

Mendoza, who spent 15 seasons in the Yankees organization before being hired by the Mets after the 2023 season, finishes with a 206-199 overall record in New York. He guided the team to the NL Championship Series in 2024, but the club failed to reach the playoffs last season and has been in freefall since. Since starting 45-25 in 2025, the Mets have gone a dismal 72-101.

Injuries, Errors, and a Costly Roster

The collapse has been compounded by injuries to key players including Francisco Lindor, Marcus Semien, Luis Robert Jr., Clay Holmes, and Jorge Polanco. The team also traded pitcher David Peterson to the Cubs just one day before Mendoza's dismissal, a move that signals a potential broader sell-off and organizational retooling.

New York opened the 2026 season carrying baseball's highest payroll at $358 million, with an additional $124 million in projected luxury tax payments — a staggering financial commitment that has yielded a last-place trajectory rather than a championship run. A 12-game losing streak in April — the franchise's longest since 2002 — was an early warning sign of the turbulence to come.

Andy Green Takes Over

Andy Green, who has served as the Mets' senior vice president of baseball development since 2023, was named interim manager for the remainder of the season. Green has prior managerial experience, having led San Diego from 2016 to 2019, though he posted a 274-366 record across four sub-.500 seasons. He also appeared in four games as a Mets player in 2009.

President of baseball operations David Stearns acknowledged the difficulty of the decision while defending Mendoza's character. "Carlos has led the organization with passion and grace and is beloved by everyone who works with him on a daily basis," Stearns said. "Unfortunately, we know we are falling short and change is necessary to move forward."

What's Next for New York

With Green at the helm on an interim basis, the Mets face a pivotal few weeks that could define the direction of the franchise. A pivot toward selling off veterans and rebuilding for the future appears increasingly likely, with the Peterson trade to Chicago potentially just the beginning. For Cubs fans, the sweep that triggered all of this turmoil stands as one of the most consequential series victories in recent memory — not just on the scoreboard, but in reshaping the landscape of a rival organization.