Steve Cohen Sets the Bar High: For Carlos Mendoza and the 2026 Mets, It’s Postseason or Bust
Steve Cohen isn’t mincing words this spring. After a relatively quiet 2025 season-outside of his much-discussed “Fab Four” proclamation-Cohen has reemerged with a clear message as the Mets gear up for 2026: it’s time to win. And not just win games-make the playoffs, or else.
In a recent sit-down with Howie Rose, Cohen covered a lot of ground, from his thoughts on Edwin Díaz to the decision to pivot from Kyle Tucker to Bo Bichette. But the moment that stood out, the one that should have everyone in the Mets clubhouse sitting up a little straighter, was Cohen’s playoff mandate.
“I think table stakes is making the playoffs. Got to make the playoffs.”
That’s not just a hopeful owner speaking. That’s a line in the sand. And while Cohen also praised manager Carlos Mendoza-calling him “a great guy and a great motivator”-the subtext was loud and clear: Mendoza’s margin for error is razor thin.
Let’s be honest-when you’re spending at the level Cohen is, expectations follow. And for all the splashy moves, the Mets have only two postseason appearances to show for it in five years under his ownership. That’s not the return Cohen-or Mets fans-signed up for.
Mendoza, to his credit, isn’t shying away from the pressure. He echoed Cohen’s sentiment, adding his own twist:
“There’s always high expectations here. Our goal is to be the last team standing and we haven’t done that the past couple of years.”
That’s the right mindset. But mindset alone won’t be enough.
Mendoza’s Hot Seat Is Heating Up
The reality is this: Mendoza’s contract is up after the 2026 season. And while he was retained following a disappointing 2025 campaign, it’s clear that was more about avoiding a full coaching overhaul than a ringing endorsement of his long-term future.
The Mets have been through a carousel of leadership under Cohen. From Buck Showalter to multiple front office shakeups, stability has been elusive.
Now, with David Stearns entering his second year as president of baseball operations, the roster and coaching staff are starting to reflect his vision more clearly. Mendoza, however, remains something of a holdover.
That makes his position inherently precarious. Stearns signed a five-year deal when he came aboard.
He has time. Mendoza doesn’t.
And while the Mets haven’t fired a manager midseason since Willie Randolph in 2008, the pressure cooker is on. If this team stumbles early and finds itself under .500, the heat under Mendoza’s seat could reach a boiling point fast.
The Standard Is the Standard
For Cohen, this isn’t just about making the playoffs-it’s about setting a standard. He made it clear that October baseball is the baseline, not the ceiling. And while he stopped short of issuing an ultimatum, this was as close as it gets in owner-speak.
That puts Mendoza in a tough spot. Even a Wild Card berth might not be enough to secure his future. If the Mets don’t make a deep run-think NLCS or bust-there’s a very real chance the organization moves in a different direction after the season.
What Comes Next?
The 2026 Mets are built to compete. The roster has been reshaped.
The payroll remains among the highest in baseball. And the expectations?
They’ve never been clearer.
Cohen has drawn the line. Stearns has the runway. Mendoza has the pressure.
Now it’s up to the Mets to deliver. Because in Queens this year, anything short of October baseball won’t just be a disappointment-it could be the end of the line for the man in the dugout.