Juan Soto says he was surprised by Mets’ Carlos Mendoza firing: “It sucks”

Juan Soto said he did not expect the New York Mets to move on from manager Carlos Mendoza, reacting to the team’s decision on Friday morning with a blunt assessment of the moment. Soto, who is one of the Mets’ most recognizable leaders on the field, told reporters that learning about the firing surprised him, adding, “It sucks,” according to the coverage that circulated after the news broke.

For the Mets, firing a manager is not only a change in day-to-day strategy, but also a reset of the clubhouse’s rhythm. Mendoza, as the face of the staff’s decision-making from the dugout, had been the person charged with translating the organization’s plan into in-game calls, pitching usage rhythms, and how the team responds in late innings. When that role is removed suddenly, players have to adjust quickly to a new communication style and a potentially new approach to managing at-bats and bullpen schedules.

Soto’s reaction highlights the human side of a decision that can otherwise sound like an organizational efficiency move. A player of his stature is often insulated from normal internal turbulence, yet he described being taken off guard by the timing. The fact that he addressed it publicly soon after the news indicates the firing was not treated as something gradual or expected in advance.

In a league where managers can be judged quickly based on results, coaching changes frequently trigger a broader set of questions: who will emphasize which parts of the team’s game plan next, how will the pitching staff be directed through matchups, and whether veteran leaders like Soto will help bridge any gap between the old structure and the new one. Even without additional details on who replaces Mendoza or how quickly the staff changes take effect, the decision alone suggests the Mets intend to make an immediate pivot.

The Mets will now have to manage the transition period in a way that preserves player confidence and continuity on the field. For players, particularly those with major-league experience and high on-field responsibility, the first test of the new leadership becomes how they handle tight games and reset after setbacks. Soto’s comment, while brief, indicates that at least some players are still processing what happened rather than treating it as business as usual.

What to watch next is how the Mets’ on-field decision-making changes in the days following Mendoza’s firing, including how the club handles late-inning scenarios and how the pitching staff adapts to a new managerial voice. Soto’s public candor also raises the bar for immediate buy-in, because in the hours after a surprise coaching change, leadership messages from star players often shape how quickly the team stabilizes.