Stearns under added scrutiny after firing Mendoza as the last-place Mets look for a path forward

NEW YORK (AP) — Carlos Mendoza is out. Just like Pete Alonso, Edwin Diaz, Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil.

Last year's coaching staff, too.

And maybe a few more quality players by the Aug. 3 trade deadline. Freddy Peralta? Clay Holmes?

In the past eight months, president of baseball operations David Stearns has remodeled the reeling New York Mets to a degree that probably seemed unthinkable on June 12, 2025.

On that date, New York had the best record in the majors. Barely more than a year ago. But not much has gone right since.

On the field. ... In the dugout. ... Anywhere.

The latest big move came Friday, exactly halfway through a dismal season, when Mendoza was fired as manager of the underperforming Mets and replaced by former San Diego Padres skipper Andy Green, who was already working in the organization.

“In my estimation, our estimation, change is needed right now,” Stearns said. “Clearly, we’ve fallen short.”

The Mets were 34-47 at the midway point, 15 games behind NL East-leading Atlanta and 9 1/2 back of the final NL wild-card berth.

Then they went out and lost their seventh consecutive game Friday night, 2-1 to the rival Philadelphia Phillies. New York has been outscored 56-23 during the slide.

“For whatever reason, we haven’t come together and found, I guess, what our identity is,” infielder Bo Bichette said.

Mets owner Steve Cohen had high expectations for a team without a World Series title since 1986. New York opened the season with baseball’s biggest payroll at $358 million and was projected to pay an additional $124 million in luxury tax.

“There is no sugar-coating it: This season has been a disappointment and our fans deserve better than what we’ve delivered,” Cohen said in a statement.

So with Stearns cutting loose so many Mets in uniform, how long does he have to repair this expensive wreck before Cohen decides he’s seen enough from the front office and hands him his own one-way ticket out of town?

Stearns grew up a Mets fan in Manhattan and teamed with Mendoza to take the franchise on a surprising run to the 2024 National League Championship Series during their first rousing season together.

Then the club signed slugger Juan Soto to a record $765 million, 15-year contract before the 2025 season and went a big league-best 45-24 through June 12 that year.

But since then, the Mets are 72-103 and they missed the playoffs last season.

This year's team has been hampered by injuries to Soto, Holmes, Francisco Lindor and others. Stearns, a small-market success running the Milwaukee Brewers before coming home to New York, alienated Mets backers by letting fan favorites Alonso and Diaz leave as free agents last offseason. Nimmo and McNeil were traded, and replacements like Bichette, Marcus Semien, Jorge Polanco and Luis Robert Jr. have either missed extensive time with injuries or vastly underperformed.

Mendoza's coaching staff was overhauled last winter, too, with poor results thus far.

“I understand fans’ skepticism. If I were sitting in the fans’ seat, I would share that,” Stearns said. “This is never on one person. It’s certainly not all on Carlos. As I said, I take responsibility for our record on the field. I take responsibility for the entirety of our baseball operations department.”

At a Citi Field news conference, Stearns was asked point blank if he has considered stepping aside.

“I have not,” said Stearns, in the third season of a five-year contract. “I believe that we are building the foundation of an organization that can deliver what we all want. I don't believe that our record on the field this year is indicative of some of the advancements that we've made as an organization. But clearly, our record is nowhere good enough.”

Stearns said he believes ownership still has confidence in him.

“Steve and I are talking on a regular basis, and he's certainly indicated that I have his support,” Stearns said.

The next step could include pivoting to a selloff this summer and trying to retool for the future.

Peralta, a two-time All-Star pitcher acquired from Milwaukee for two highly regarded prospects, is eligible for free agency after the World Series. Holmes, who could return to the mound in August from his broken leg, can also become a free agent next offseason by declining his $12 million player option, which seems likely.

So the Mets might look to trade them by Aug. 3 to guarantee at least something in return during a lost season.

New York already sent struggling pitcher David Peterson, the team’s longest-tenured player, to the Chicago Cubs on Thursday for a minor leaguer. Peterson also can become a free agent this fall.

“I understand we have an uphill battle ahead of us this year, but we’re not turning the page,” Stearns said. “I think sometimes a new voice, a new perspective, a new view, helps. And sometimes it’s really difficult to explain why or how. But at this point, it was time to try.”

The 48-year-old Green, a former major league infielder, joined the Mets in 2023 as senior vice president of baseball development and had been running their farm system. He was given the title of interim manager for the rest of this season.

After that, Stearns said Green will return to a front-office role and New York will conduct a full search for a new manager. Alex Cora, fired by the Red Sox in April, could be an attractive candidate to multiple teams — including the Mets.

New York could also look to hire an experienced general manager under Stearns to give him additional help.

“I understand our fans’ frustration and anger. I think I share that. And we will do everything we can to improve,” Stearns said.

AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum and AP freelancer Jerry Beach contributed to this report.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

New York Mets interim manager Andy Green speaks during a news conference before a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Friday, June 26, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

FILE - New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza (64) watches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Saturday, May 23, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

New York Mets interim manager Andy Green speaks during a news conference before a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Friday, June 26, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets' Juan Soto flips his helmet during a pitching change in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Thursday, June 25, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

FILE - New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza before a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Thursday, May 21, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

SEATTLE (AP) — An Iranian fan rushed the field in celebration, necessitating seven security guards to successfully bring him down.

Shoja Khalilzadeh ripped his jersey off before being mobbed by the entire Iran team after he fired a shot past Egypt goalie Mostafa Shobeir in the 93rd minute to seemingly give his side a 2-1 lead on Friday night.

For a few joyous moments, Iran was convinced it had advanced to the knockout round at the World Cup for the first time in the expanded 48-team pool at this year’s tournament.

The potential late winning goal was called back due to an offside, though, and Egypt advanced past the group stage.

Iran, meanwhile, will have to wait one day to find out its fate after the two teams played to a 1-1 draw. Egypt will play Australia in the round of 32.

Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei lamented what was the third goal by his side waved off by video review in the tournament.

“Technology is justice,” Ghalenoei said in Farsi, “But, I'm upset about our bad luck.”

At the conclusion of what was promoted as a “Pride Match” in Seattle, one which neither Iran nor Egypt wanted any part in, the Pharaohs finished in second place in Group G. Belgium, which played to a 1-1 draw against Egypt on June 15, beat New Zealand 5-1 in Vancouver, British Columbia to win the group outright.

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan was grateful his team didn't slide to third in the group, which would have been the case had Khalilzadeh's goal held up.

“We knew we had qualified already, we were sitting at the top of the group," Hossan said. "I thank God for everything. After this goal was ruled offside, I was very happy.”

Iran, meanwhile, could still advance to the knockout round for the first time in the expanded 48-team pool at this year’s tournament. But, they no longer controls their own destiny after Friday’s game.

“We’re here to make our history, too,” said midfielder Rouzbeh Cheshmi. “(Saturday), if our dream comes true, thank God. If not, we are proud of our game and our players because of how we did the game. The last three games, we held up, so let’s see what happens."

Egypt took an early lead on a goal by Mahmoud Saber in the fifth minute. Former Liverpool star Mohamed Salah provided some strong play in the box before Saber fired a shot between the legs of Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.

Iran was denied an equalizer in the 11th minute when Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir saved a penalty kick, but tied the game in the 14th minute on a goal by Ramin Rezaeian.

After Iran came up just short, its players aired their grievances about numerous complications off the field. The team has endured travel restrictions imposed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in light of the war in Iran.

In March, Iran sought to move its group-stage matches to Mexico, with which it has diplomatic ties. Its request to move its base camp from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana was granted two weeks before the team’s arrival.

Ghalenoei said members of the team have been limited to their hotels and training facilities, and not explored Tijuana in any capacity. Several team officials and members of the support staff have been barred from traveling into the U.S. with the team.

“We don’t have recovery, we don’t have any logistic people here to help us. We always complain about these things, but no one helps us – no one,” said Roozbeh Cheshmi. “As you know, recovery is an important thing. Small details affect the football."

For the first two matches, near Los Angeles, the team was not permitted to travel until the day before and had to return to Mexico immediately after each game. The U.S. then eased its restrictions, allowing the squad to travel to Seattle two days before Friday’s match.

Ghalenoei said the team again had to immediately fly back to Tijuana after Friday's game.

“We were treated very, very badly,” Ghalenoei said. “I hope the world becomes aware of these issues.”

If only for a short stint of time, though, Iran's disdain was tabled in the aftermath of Khalilzadeh's near-goal. Iran did not finish Friday's game with a storybook ending, but it is still alive in the tournament — at least for another 24 hours.

“What these young Iranian national team players have done should be recorded in history,” Ghalenoei said. “Why? Because the host treated us in the worst possible way.”

AP freelancer Mark Moschetti contributed to this report.

See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here

Iran's Shoja Khalilzadeh (4) reacts at the end of the World Cup Group G soccer match between Egypt and Iran in Seattle, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir (23) jumps to save a shot at goal during the World Cup Group G soccer match between Egypt and Iran in Seattle, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Iran's Shoja Khalilzadeh (center) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal, which was overturned as an offside, during the World Cup Group G soccer match between Egypt and Iran in Seattle, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Iran's Shoja Khalilzadeh (4) celebrates after scoring a goal before it was overturned following a VAR review during the World Cup Group G soccer match between Egypt and Iran in Seattle, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Egypt's Mahmoud Saber (21) celebrates after scoring before the World Cup Group G soccer match between Egypt and Iran in Seattle, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Iran's Mehdi Taremi (9) reacts at the end of the World Cup Group G soccer match between Egypt and Iran in Seattle, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)