“Being a manager in Major League Baseball is a huge commitment, very huge commitment,” Beltran told reporters. “I’m not saying that I’m not willing to take that commitment, but right now, at the position where I am today in life, I love to be a dad. I love to be a husband. I love to be involved in the Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy in Puerto Rico. Being a manager, you would not be able to do that full-time.”

Beltran’s comments signal that his current priorities lie outside the dugout, leaving the door open for other potential candidates as the Mets evaluate their managerial options for 2027.

In the meantime, the Mets are fighting to avoid a last-place finish in the NL East during the final stretch of the 2026 season, encouraged slightly by positive medical updates regarding outfielder Jared Young.

Reported candidates in the mix for managerial job

Even with Beltran occasionally linked to the opening, President of Baseball Operations David Stearns and team leadership are casting a wide net to find the right fit for the franchise.

Several high-profile candidates have emerged in national reporting:

• Alex Cora: Frequently cited by MLB insiders as a primary target if he becomes available.
• Albert Pujols: The future Hall of Famer has been widely reported as a candidate ownership and David Stearns are eager to speak with.
• David Ross: The former Chicago Cubs manager publicly stated on ESPN that he would be interested in interviewing for the position.
• Rocco Baldelli: The former Minnesota Twins skipper has been identified by national reporters as an experienced candidate who could provide stability.
• Don Mattingly / Rob Thomson: Veteran names linked speculatively depending on how managerial openings unfold across the league this offseason.

With only a week remaining in the regular season, the Mets face a crucial offseason as they look to reshape their leadership and position the franchise for a bounce-back campaign in 2027.

Providing a much-needed sigh of relief, manager Andy Green offered an encouraging update on Young’s recovery during a recent press conference, noting that the infielder is in remarkably high spirits. “Young is doing as good as expected or could be hoped for. He’s got his sense of humor intact,” Green said.

The severity of the collision brought the game to a standstill—drawing heartfelt well-wishes from Phillies superstar Bryce Harper—and left the entire organization holding its breath as New York looks to navigate the final stretch of the regular season without one of its most key contributors.

Despite the encouraging update, the strict timeline required by MLB’s concussion protocol makes a swift return improbable, leaving Young’s availability up in the air with just over a week remaining before the postseason.

Green shares a story from Young’s time with the Reds

Reflecting on Young’s tireless work ethic, Green shared an anecdote from their shared time with the Cincinnati Reds, illustrating the 31-year-old’s unyielding passion for the game.

“This guy likes to play so much. He said, ‘Can I drive to Iowa and play?’ I told him, ‘If you want to, but your season could be over.’ I’ve never had a player do that in that situation. Most guys are like, ‘I’m getting optioned from the big leagues, let’s call it a season, let’s move on. It’s good enough,’“ Green recalled.

“Instead, he texted the Triple-A manager and said, ‘I’m coming. I want to play. Can you put me in the lineup?’ He ended up hitting a walk-off home run that day to cap off the minor league season,“ Green added.

Young’s impact on the Mets

Serving primarily as a versatile option at first base, outfield, and designated hitter, the left-handed slugger provided crucial depth above league average, slashing .266 with 9 home runs, 39 RBIs, and a .759 OPS (112 OPS+) across 308 at-bats (342 plate appearances).

According to the New York Post‘s Jon Heyman, league insiders remain split on whether Bichette will opt out or choose to stay in Queens, setting up a defining offseason decision for both sides.

Bichette’s debut season in New York has been a true rollercoaster. Plagued by injuries and lingering slumps, the former All-Star shortstop has struggled to replicate his past production while adjusting to his new defensive home at third base.

The Mets’ late-season slide hasn’t sat well with starter Sean Manaea, who openly vented after home fans cheered former Mets slugger Pete Alonso during his return with the Baltimore Orioles. If Bichette decides to walk this winter, it will leave the front office scrambling to fill another major hole in the lineup.

Bichette’s rollercoaster season in Queens

From an alarming early-season slump to a midsummer rebound, Bichette’s performance has left the Mets‘ front office closely monitoring his upcoming contract status, a decision that will heavily influence the organization’s offseason blueprint.

After joining the Mets on a three-year deal during the 2025–26 offseason, Bichette endured a grueling first two months. His early cold spell dragged down his overall offensive numbers while putting added pressure on his full-time transition to third base.

A midseason resurgence helped stabilize his contact profile, raising his batting average back toward the .265 mark and providing much-needed middle-of-the-order run production.

Bichette’s stats in the Mets this season:

• 151 games
• .263 AVG
• .312 OBP
• .390 SLG
• .702 OPS
• 16 HR
• 74 RBI

The opt-out dilemma

With $84 million remaining over the final two years of his contract, Bichette holds an opt-out clause at season’s end. Industry insiders view his impending choice as a true toss-up: weigh the guaranteed security of $42 million annually in New York against testing a thin free-agent market entering his age-29 season.

“First of all, I hope Jared Young is OK. I’m sending my thoughts to his family and hoping for the best,” Harper told Ken Rosenthal on the MLB on FOX broadcast, a gesture that drew widespread praise from both fanbases.

Harper and the Phillies ultimately secured the win in a game that won’t soon be forgotten given the harrowing situation with Young. For New York, the loss serves as another stark wake-up call as they continue to slide toward the bottom of the standings.

While Mets pitcher Sean Manaea didn’t hide his emotions regarding fans showing support for former slugger Pete Alonso—now with the Baltimore Orioles—the franchise is dealing with a far more immediate setback in Young, who had been working to regain his stride after early-season struggles.

What happened to Young?

In the top of the sixth inning, Phillies outfielder Justin Crawford hit a ground ball toward first base. As Mets starting pitcher Nolan McLean sprinted over to cover the bag, his leg inadvertently made direct contact with Young’s head while the first baseman was bending down to field the ball.

Young was knocked unconscious by the impact and remained on the turf while being evaluated by trainers before being carted off the field. He was transported to a local hospital for further diagnostic testing and evaluation.

Young’s status pending medical official diagnosis

The Mets confirmed that Young retained movement and feeling in all of his extremities. Manager Andy Green later shared that Young’s CT scan came back negative for structural damage, but he is exhibiting concussion symptoms and has been placed in MLB’s concussion protocol.

The injury leaves Young’s status uncertain just as he was beginning to show signs of a turnaround this season, a welcome bounce-back after a difficult 2025 campaign following his arrival from the Chicago White Sox.

Mets starter Sean Manaea didn’t hide his shock when he heard the Citi Field crowd cheer as Alonso launched a game-tying ninth-inning homer for Baltimore. “I got nothing but respect for him, I love him to death,” Manaea told SNY. “I know we have definitely underperformed, but the guys in here work their ass off every single day, and to have that reaction to an opposing player is crazy to me.”

Manaea’s reaction highlighted the growing divide between a locker room trying to navigate a nightmare season and a fanbase fed up with high expectations yielding disastrous results.

Alonso, for his part, maintained that he still holds deep affection for the Mets franchise. Yet watching his production in an Orioles uniform only deepens the sting for New York fans left wondering what could have been.

Is there a good reason for Mets fans to be frustrated?

This year’s collapse is hardly an isolated incident; it’s the tipping point of years of underachievement. Over the last five seasons, New York has made the postseason just twice—falling to the San Diego Padres in the 2022 NL Wild Card Series and losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games in the 2024 NLCS.

It has now been 11 years since the Mets last reached the World Series. Fans reasonably expected a deep October run this year, especially with the league’s highest payroll and the blockbuster 2024 signing of Juan Soto away from the cross-town Yankees.

Instead, the Mets crashed out of contention early, prompting fans to chant for the firing of President of Baseball Operations David Stearns. Now, the front office faces immense pressure to rebuild trust in 2027, as a starved fanbase demands an end to a 40-year World Series championship drought.

Following the victory over his former club, Alonso addressed the media and insisted he harbors no hard feelings toward the Mets for not offering him an extension prior to free agency. “When you have a really good opportunity and you have great dialogue, you don’t necessarily want to ruin that,” Alonso said.

Alonso added that his decision to sign with Baltimore came down to how aggressive the front office was from the start. “When Baltimore came in, they obviously expressed serious interest. For me, if they’re expressing themselves seriously, then I’m going to listen seriously,“ he explained.

While Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor reflected on the elimination and wondered how different the season might have been with Alonso still in the middle of the order, New York must now face reality as it prepares to watch October baseball from home.

Alonso reflects on his time in New York

Beyond harboring no ill will toward the front office, Alonso grew emotional when discussing his connection to New York, emphasizing how comfortable he and his family felt during his tenure in the city.

“New York is always going to feel like a homecoming. The city is really special,” Alonso told reporters. His comments come amid massive roster uncertainty for the Mets, who face immense pressure to bounce back after missing the postseason.

With October out of reach, the Mets will aim to finish the regular season on a high note before diving into a crucial offseason where they must re-evaluate their roster and rethink their long-term vision.

“It’s one of those things where you see him on the other side like, ‘Wow, those are great numbers. That’s Pete Alonso,'” Lindor told reporters. “But at the same time, you look in our clubhouse and you say the guys that we have are capable of helping us win ballgames.”

While the Mets maintained confidence in their current roster, Lindor acknowledged Alonso’s impressive stats. Still, the shortstop refused to dwell on “what ifs,” admitting that on a personal level, he simply misses his former teammate on a daily basis.

As the Mets digest their playoff elimination, fanbase frustration has centered squarely on president of baseball operations David Stearns. Supporters have voiced deep displeasure over the collapse, particularly given that New York fielded MLB’s highest payroll this season.

Lindor’s self-criticism after playoff elimination

Refusing to hide after being eliminated from contention, Lindor took accountability, noting that the team’s downfall went far beyond missing a bat like Alonso’s in the middle of the order.

“We just haven’t played, we haven’t performed to our best,” Lindor admitted regarding the team’s struggles. “We haven’t stayed healthy, and we haven’t put the season together.”

Alonso’s numbers this season

To gauge the impact Alonso could have had on the Mets’ lineup, his numbers with Baltimore provide a clear picture of what New York lost when they let the first baseman walk in free agency.

Here is a look at his 2026 stats:

• Games Played (G): 150
• Plate Appearances (PA): 652
• Batting Average (AVG): .268
• On-Base Percentage (OBP): .363
• Slugging Percentage (SLG): .499
• OPS: .859
• Home Runs (HR): 35
• Runs Batted In (RBI): 100 (American League Leader)
• Runs Scored (R): 89
• Hits (H): 148
• Doubles (2B): 24
• Walks (BB): 76
• WAR: 4.1

Needless to say, the events of the past winter weren’t forgotten throughout Alonso’s first night back at Citi Field. However, it wasn’t the Orioles first baseman who caught the wrath of the home fans, but Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns instead.

After Alonso flied out in his first at-bat back in Queens, a chant came down from the stands and onto the diamond. “Fire Stearns,” the fans began chanting. The message was clear and impossible to miss. Clearly, the fanbase has made up its mind and picked a side.

Tough season for the Mets

The Mets are nowhere near an MLB postseason berth, Alonso has put up another great season even though Baltimore has struggled tremendously, and not one of the players called upon to be Alonso’s replacement panned out particularly well for the Orange and Blue.

To make matters worse, the New York Yankees received a good World Series omen thanks to NFL teams New York Giants and New York Jets, adding insult to injury at this point for the club in Queens.

Mets fans make a statement

Watching Alonso return to the place he called home for seven years to start his MLB career was just too much for the fans to take. They had enough and burst against the man they feel is responsible for Alonso making it to free agency in the first place. It will be a long offseason for the brass in Queens.

Cole was showered with boos after surrendering five earned runs and three home runs over just 4.1 innings. The Mets racked up 14 hard-hit balls against the right-hander, underscoring a concerning trend for the former Cy Young winner at a crucial juncture in the regular season.

After missing extended time while working his way back from an elbow injury, Cole has struggled to recapture the dominant form that made him the focal point of the rotation prior to his recovery process.

While Aaron Judge’s return gives the lineup its familiar spark, Cole’s continuous rotation struggles pose a massive red flag for New York’s championship aspirations heading into October.

Cole’s struggles during the last couple of weeks

The right-hander has been hit hard in his recent outings, most notably surrendering back-to-back home runs on three consecutive pitches to open a start against the San Diego Padres.

While he managed to work seven innings in that contest, surrendering four total long balls highlighted an ongoing vulnerability with his four-seam fastball that opponents continue to punish with hard contact.

Beyond the sudden spikes in earned runs, Cole’s strikeout rate has experienced a noticeable decline, relying far more on contact than his typical swing-and-miss stuff.

What’s left in the Yankees’ rotation to face the postseason?

With an October berth all but locked up, the Yankees must urgently evaluate the rest of their pitching staff to build a viable postseason rotation. A combination of talent and good performances would help the rotation to be ready for the upcoming challenges ahead.

With Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, and Carlos Rodon anchoring the starting staff—alongside key depth and potential swingmen in Will Warren, Ryan Weathers, and Luis Gil—manager Aaron Boone faces crucial decisions on how to structure his staff for a deep playoff run.

According to the New York Post’s Jon Heyman, the Rays were one of four teams to place a waiver claim on Robert Jr. in late August. However, because Tampa Bay held the AL’s top record—and thus the lowest waiver priority—they lost out on the claim to the Baltimore Orioles.

Despite being outbid by priority, the Rays were fully prepared to compete with fellow suitors like the San Diego Padres and Orioles for his services. The fourth interested club remains unidentified, as Heyman did not disclose the final mystery team.

With speculation mounting around Jazz Chisholm Jr. and his potential fit with the Mets, coupled with reports of a crowded market for Robert Jr., it’s only a matter of time before the fallout from these high-profile outfield moves becomes clear.

Why Robert Jr.?

When the Mets placed Robert on outright waivers to shed payroll, a claiming team needed to commit only about $5 million—covering $2.88 million in remaining salary plus a $2 million buyout on his $20 million club option for 2027. For contenders, taking a $5 million gamble on an elite, game-changing talent down the stretch represented a negligible financial risk.

Despite an up-and-down, injury-plagued campaign, Robert flashed his immense upside right before hitting waivers, batting .311 with six home runs over a 19-game stretch in New York.

Waiving Robert right before the deadline created a classic “lottery ticket” scenario: Playoff-bound teams could take a low-cost swing to bolster their rosters for October without surrendering top prospects in a trade.

In his report, Heyman noted that Cora appears to be a “long shot” for Queens at this stage. However, he revealed that Mattingly could quickly enter the frame if the rival Philadelphia Phillies ultimately pursue Cora.

That domino effect could push the Mets toward targeting the current Phillies skipper. Still, speculation remains high regarding who will ultimately take the helm for the franchise. The only certainty for now is that Green does not view himself as a long-term candidate to manage the team moving forward.

While additional managerial options are expected to emerge in the coming weeks, the Mets are currently locked in on their weekend Subway Series matchup, with Juan Soto reflecting on his return to Yankee Stadium.

Why is Cora considered a long shot for the Mets?

The primary roadblock to a potential union between Cora and the Mets is his current contract with the Boston Red Sox. Even though he is no longer in the dugout, Boston still owes him the remainder of a hefty $21.75 million contract extension through 2027.

Heyman suggested Cora is more inclined to take time away or transition into a front-office or broadcast role before throwing his hat back into a major managerial search, making a deal with Queens highly unlikely.

Why Don Mattingly makes sense for the Mets

Heyman framed Mattingly as a far more viable target for the Mets, citing his proven track record, tactical acumen, and active interim role within the division. As a widely respected “baseball lifer” with broad appeal across major-market front offices, Mattingly carries no contractual buyout baggage.

With Green occupying the manager’s chair purely on an interim basis through the remainder of the season, president of baseball operations David Stearns and the Mets front office are evaluating established leaders who can command immediate respect in the New York market.