Mets' Carlos Mendoza Laughs Off Politics Question About 2025 Clubhouse

Mets manager disputes allegations of a fractured 2025 locker room, says team simply "didn't win games on the baseball field".

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza laughed off a question about the team's purported clubhouse issues in 2025, disputing the notion that politics played a role in the team's disappointing season. Mendoza said the Mets simply "didn't win games on the baseball field" despite the high expectations following the addition of star outfielder Juan Soto.

Why it matters

The Mets are looking to bounce back in 2026 after missing the playoffs entirely in 2025, a surprising outcome given their high-profile offseason moves. Mendoza's dismissal of any clubhouse discord suggests the team is focused on moving past last year's struggles and returning to the postseason.

The details

The Mets brought in several key players in the offseason, including infielder Bo Bichette and veteran Jorge Polanco, to complement stars like Soto and Francisco Lindor. The team also acquired pitcher Freddy Peralta in a trade to bolster their rotation. Despite the roster upgrades, the Mets failed to make the playoffs in 2025, tying the Cincinnati Reds for the final Wild Card spot but losing the tiebreaker.

  • The Mets missed the playoffs in 2025 despite high expectations.
  • Mendoza's comments came during a call with WFAN Sports Radio on February 17, 2026.

The players

Carlos Mendoza

The manager of the New York Mets, who disputed allegations of clubhouse issues in 2025.

Juan Soto

A star outfielder who the Mets acquired in a high-profile offseason move prior to the 2025 season.

Pete Alonso

A first baseman who was a consistent player and valued member of the Mets' clubhouse for the past seven years, but departed the team after the 2025 season.

Bo Bichette

An infielder the Mets brought in during the offseason to add more pop and defensive versatility to their lineup.

Jorge Polanco

A veteran infielder the Mets acquired after he had a strong postseason performance for the Seattle Mariners in 2025.

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What they’re saying

“I wouldn't call it that way. That's the first for me about politics. I gotta laugh. I'm sorry. I've been pretty consistent with the messaging. It's not that the guys didn't get along. We just didn't win games on the baseball field.”

— Carlos Mendoza, Mets Manager (WFAN Sports Radio)

What’s next

The Mets will look to bounce back in the 2026 season and return to the playoffs after their disappointing 2025 campaign.

The takeaway

Despite the Mets' high-profile offseason moves and lofty expectations, the team struggled in 2025 and failed to make the playoffs. However, manager Carlos Mendoza's dismissal of any clubhouse discord suggests the team is focused on moving past last year's issues and returning to contention in 2026.