The Mets’ Carlos Mendoza era is officially underway.
A week after the two sides came to an agreement to make Mendoza the next manager in Queens, the Mets formally announced the hiring of the former Yankees bench coach on Monday ahead of a Tuesday press conference at Citi Field.
Mendoza signed a three-year contract with a club option for a fourth year, the team announced, replacing Buck Showalter and becoming the sixth Mets manager in the last seven-plus years.
The deal is worth about $1.5 million per year, SNY reported.
“We are excited to begin this new chapter of Mets baseball,” Mets owners Steve and Alex Cohen said in a statement. “Carlos brings a wealth of experience to the Mets that includes more than a decade managing and coaching in the minors as well as serving as bench coach the last four years with our cross-town rivals. Carlos is full of energy, passion and it was easy to see he’ll have a great rapport with both our veteran and young players.”
Hiring Mendoza as manager marks the first significant decision that David Stearns has made since taking over as president of baseball operations.
While Stearns declined to comment on the move at last week’s general managers’ meetings because it was not yet official, here are some of the questions that he, Mendoza and Steve Cohen will likely face during Tuesday’s introduction:
Questions for Carlos Mendoza
This is your first time managing at this level. What makes you confident you’re ready for this job?
The Mets job has proven to be difficult to navigate for first-time managers, as Luis Rojas and Mickey Callway (for different reasons) both lasted just two years. Mendoza has only managed in the minor leagues, though he has spent the last four years as Aaron Boone’s bench coach and has paid his dues on the way up. He also seems to be entering the position with a more solidified front office than recent Mets managers.
How do you want your team to play? What will be the hallmarks of a Carlos Mendoza team?
Mendoza will get the chance to put his own mark on the Mets after spending all 15 years of his coaching career in the Yankees’ organization. Boone last week lauded Mendoza as “reliable, smart, tough and prepared.” It’s likely Mendoza would expect the same from his players.
How much do you value analytics versus feel when making decisions?
The best managers are able to find the right balance instead of leaning too far in either direction. Stearns on Monday described Mendoza as having “a brilliant baseball mind and a finely honed ability to collaborate with others,” which would indicate the Mets are looking for that balance.
Questions for David Stearns
You’ve never hired a manager before. Carlos has never managed before. Given all of that, what convinced you that he was the right person for the job?
When Stearns arrived in Milwaukee, Craig Counsell was already the manager, but the two developed a strong working relationship. Now, Stearns and Mendoza — who have not worked together before this — will surely be looking to do the same.
What will be the front office’s involvement in traditional manager decisions such as lineup, pitching changes, bullpen availability, etc.?
Stearns previously said he viewed the managerial position as a “true partnership.” It remains to be seen how much latitude Mendoza will get to make those day-to-day decisions on his own.
It’s possible that Cohen did not want to be used as leverage for Counsell, who ultimately landed a monster contract with the Cubs on a five-year, $40 million deal.
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