3 best Carlos Mendoza replacements to fix Mets in 2027

The New York Mets have endured a difficult season to say the least, and on Friday they dismissed manager Carlos Mendoza. Andy Green is the interim manager for now, however, he is expected to return to the front office in 2027. The Mets will need to find their next manager during the offseason. So, who are the best candidates?

Things can change a few months from now, but three specific potential candidates stand out at the moment.

Alex Cora

Cora is unquestionably going to be one of the most popular candidates during the offseason for any team in need of a new manager. The Boston Red Sox’s season has not go according to plan and the ball club moved on from Cora, but he is still regarded as a good manager. Cora could certainly help a ball club like the Mets turn things around.

The Mets are already being urged to pursue Cora. Cora is going to be linked to multiple teams, but Mets owner Steve Cohen is more than willing to spend big money in free agency. That may be true for managers as well. Cohen likely won’t hesitate to give Cora a historic contract from a financial standpoint.

Carlos Beltran

Beltran was set to become the Mets manager back in 2020 before he was linked to the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal. Beltran joined the Mets’ front office a few years later in 2023. He also spent seven seasons of his impressive big league career in New York with the Mets, so he is quite familiar with the organization.

Beltran could certainly make sense as a manager candidate for New York. He may not have the same managing experience as some other candidates, but his familiarity with the Mets could prove to be crucial. New York needs someone who knows the team, and Beltran may be that guy.

Albert Pujols

Pujols has never managed at the MLB level, but he does have managing experience in the World Baseball Classic. He has also been linked to MLB manager jobs in recent seasons. Additionally, Pujols is a future Hall of Famer who is fourth all time in home runs with 703.

Oh, and he reportedly wants the Mets job.

John Harper of SNY reported on Friday that a source said Pujols made it known in recent weeks that he would be open to the Mets’ manager job if the team were to move on from Mendoza. If Pujols does indeed have interest, a contract could come together quickly during the offseason if New York decides to pursue him.

Prediction for the Mets’ next manager?

Cora, Beltran and Pujols are all strong candidates for different reasons. Cora has the MLB managing experience, Beltran knows the Mets’ organization especially well and Pujols is one of the best players in recent memory.

If I had to guess, I’d say Beltran ends up landing the role. Sure, Cohen will not hesitate to pay the big money for Cora, but Beltran’s connections to the team make him an obvious choice. In the end, the Mets may go with someone who was not even mentioned in this story. They will have plenty of options.

However, I am predicting that Carlos Beltran will become the next manager of the New York Mets during the offseason.

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