New York Mets shake up their coaching staff for 2026 after a brutal second half, with Carlos Mendoza returning but bench coach John Gibbons, pitching coach Jeremy Hefner, hitting coaches Eric Chavez and Jeremy Barnes, third-base coach Mike Sarbaugh, and catching instructor Glenn Sherlock exiting. A high payroll and Juan Soto’s record deal loom large in the plan.

Steve Cohen and David Stearns pivot, eyeing Pete Alonso’s looming free agency, bullpen churn, and a rotation overhaul as they chase a postseason return after a season that began strong (45-24 by June 12) but finished 38-55.

Mets end with World Series expectations and a $340 million payroll that produced confusion and a postseason miss in Miami, allowing the Reds to sneak in on the final day. Steve Cohen pledges a full post-mortem, and Carlos Mendoza survives to coach another year as David Stearns orders a comprehensive staff evaluation. The season’s collapse centered on pitching and defense, magnified by injuries and execution gaps across the lineup.

Offensive leaders Alonso, Lindor and Nimmo carried leadership while the front office cites execution over excuses. The plan now targets sharper bullpen usage, rotation health, and a cohesive blueprint for 2025, with accountability staying high and changes potentially behind the scenes before any on-field moves.

Mets finish 83-79 and miss the playoffs after a late fade, despite Citi Field attendance smashing records and a blue-chip payroll. Cohen apologized, noting the club didn’t do its part after a 45-24 start and Soto’s signing raised expectations.

The final 93 games exposed depth issues: 5.27 ERA from starters and 428.2 innings. Alonso heads to free agency, Reds grab the final wild-card on a head-to-head tiebreaker, and the Mets face a broad offseason rethink of pitching and depth.