The New York Mets’ freefall has the front office looking for a savior, and one name being floated has a history of winning championships in New York – just not for the team in Queens.

After a late-season collapse kept the Mets from the playoffs last year, they entered the season with a revamped roster following an aggressive offseason. In the final year of his managerial contract, manager Carlos Mendoza would have hoped his team could turn things around and advance deep into the postseason in 2026. But right now, they are at the bottom of the NL East. With the Mets currently on a six-game losing streak, analysts have already started discussing potential candidates to replace Mendoza.

The 46-year-old is on the hot seat as the Athletics swept the Mets in their home ground at Citi Field. Following the series sweep, WFAN host Evan Roberts proposed a replacement for Mendoza at the Mets camp in the near future. Roberts put forward former Yankee Joe Girardi as a potential candidate for the Mets’ manager’s spot.

“I think Mets fans would like it; I think Tiki Barber would like it— Joe Girardi,” suggested Evan Roberts on WFAN. “And you know he wants to manage. Let’s be serious, you know he wants to manage.”

Joe Girardi is a former catcher who played for the New York Yankees during their prime. Girardi won the World Series three times: 1996, 1998, and 1999. After his retirement in 2003, the former Yankee has managed multiple MLB teams since 2006.

The Yankees’ last World Series win in 2009 also came under Girardi’s coaching. He was on the team from 2008 to 2017, and after that, he moved on to coach the Philadelphia Phillies. After losing 12 of their 17 games, the Phillies fired Girardi from his managerial role in 2022.

The hosts at WFAN linked that with the present NYM condition.

“The Phillies did to Joe what the Mets are going to do with Mendoza.”

Last year, the Mets were potential playoff contenders until things started going wrong in August.

They went down with a 21-32 record from August to the season’s end. It would not have been surprising if Mendoza’s tenure ended last season, but David Stearns probably opted to trust Mendoza for one last time.

This year, Mendoza is under even more pressure to deliver results.

They overhauled their roster with a near $250 million spending spree to rebuild following an 83-79 record in 2025. The manager has a Competitive Balance Tax (CBT) payroll surpassing $375 million, with players like Bo Bichette, Luis Robert Jr., and Freddy Peralta at his disposal. Considering their 2026 opening day payroll at $367.9 million (2nd), and the A’s at 30th with $137 million, this series sweep hurt bad.

The Mets signed Bichette to a 3-year, $126 million deal to be the primary third baseman. All-Star pitcher Peralta and right-hander Tobias Myers were acquired in a blockbuster trade from the Milwaukee Brewers. To strengthen the outfield, they took in Robert Jr. from the Chicago White Sox.

Yet, in terms of scoring runs per game, they rank 23rd (3.88). Their batting average stands at .236, failing in clutch moments, ranking 14th. They have not scored a single run since Saturday.

Even with Peralta in the rotation, NYM is 17th in ERA (4.06). Of course, it doesn’t fall on one to pull up the whole team, but all of these points to one factor only!

Even as a team, they are failing to produce.

Though Luis Robert Jr. has been successful with a .319 batting average, other Mets sluggers are in significant trouble. In Soto’s absence, Bo Bichette and Francisco Lindor were expected to lead the offense.

But Bichette is hitting at .235 after his .311 average last season. Lindor’s bat has also been ineffective, as he is hitting at .188.

As a starter, Kodai Senga has also not delivered his best. He posted a 7.07 ERA in 3 starts this season. Compared to his 1.47 ERA in early 2025, the concerns look real.

The Mets already have 9 losses this season, pushing discussions about Mendoza’s replacement even more.

Mendoza reacts after the Mets’ series sweep

After the disappointing loss against the Athletics, manager Carlos Mendoza spoke to the media about the team’s performance.

“Tough homestand, overall, offensively,” reportedly remarked Mendoza.

“You come back from that road trip, feeling good about the way you’re swinging the bat. You win the first game here, and then you just have a hard time scoring from there.”

Since winning the series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks, 4-3, the Mets have lost the next six games. Their record in these matches has been 2, 1, 0, 6, 0, and 0 runs, respectively.

Right now, they are looking to snap out of the six-game losing streak during their ongoing series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. But the first game of the series didn’t bring much hope to the Metsies.

The Monday night matchup ended up 4-0 in LA’s favor. It was their 4th shutout already in the season. Now, while the ‘evil empire’ leads the NL West standings, another top payroll club is last in the NL East.

Yet, if the Mets can somehow manage to win against the reigning World Series champions, that could help Carlos Mendonza’s case!