Juan Soto says he called Carlos Mendoza after Mendoza was fired as Mets manager, thanking him for helping Soto feel comfortable in the clubhouse. New York heads into Saturday at 34-48 after a 2-1 loss to the Phillies on Friday.
Juan Soto didn’t treat Friday’s managerial change like a clean break.
After the New York Mets moved on from Carlos Mendoza. Soto reached out to the former manager anyway—calling him to say he truly appreciated what Mendoza did for him when Soto was still adjusting to Queens. The conversation stood out in a week already loaded with frustration around a disappointing 2026 season.
The Mets enter Saturday afternoon at 34-48 following Friday’s 2-1 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, a result that only deepened the sense of urgency inside a clubhouse that has been searching for answers.
Soto made his message public through Mets coverage shared on X, formerly Twitter, after the six-time Silver Slugger discussed the phone call following Mendoza’s departure. The post included Soto saying: “Juan Soto says he called Carlos Mendoza after his Mets departure to thank him for everything.”
In his explanation, Soto described what he told Mendoza during the call: “I did. Um, not much, but you know, how much I really appreciate what he did for me, you know?. And like. he was one of the guys who helped me to feel comfortable in this clubhouse and welcome me in the best way. So I was just thanking him for that.”.
That appreciation adds another layer to what is now an unsettled period for the Mets. The club made a leadership change after Mendoza’s tenure, but Soto’s words suggest Mendoza still carried support with players even as the organization decided to shift direction.
The transition now belongs to interim manager Andy Green. New York’s next challenge is immediate: the Mets need to respond on the field, not just in conversations, as the season continues to test them.
Soto’s comments also make the timing feel personal. Soto signed his historic 15-year. $765 million contract in December 2024 to become the face of the franchise. and Mendoza helped ease his transition into Queens. For one of the Mets’ most important voices, Mendoza’s firing didn’t erase that connection.
Mets Juan Soto Carlos Mendoza Andy Green 2026 season Phillies Silver Slugger MLB news