The New York Yankees are enjoying a first-place standing in the American League East division with the chance to increase the gap over the rival Boston Red Sox as they head to Fenway Park on Tuesday.
The historic rivals will be playing for the first time since last year’s Wild Card playoff series and, though the Yankees are enjoying a lead in the standings, the three-game set is sure to capture fan attention as usual.
New York Yankees Manager Aaron Boone Details Conversation With New York Mets’ Carlos Mendoza As Job Pressure Mounts
But despite the importance of the divisional matchup, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he had time to touch base with a former colleague recently.
“Mendy and I keep in contact with one another,” Boone said, using his nickname for New York Mets skipper Carlos Mendoza, before the Red Sox game on Tuesday, per NJ.com’s Randy Miller. “I’ve talked to him this week.”
While the Yankees have endured a short rough stretch in the early season, the Mets have been mired in one all season. Following an offseason roster overhaul, Mendoza’s club has posted a National League worst record with issues in every unit.
With Juan Soto on the injured list, the team has struggled to score runs, including slow starts at the plate for new infielder Marcus Semien and Bo Bichette. Franchise shortstop Francisco Lindor has been caught in some surprising mental lapses. And the team has posted an MLB-low two total saves so far.
But Boone sent a message of confidence about Mendoza, who left for Queens after serving as Boone’s bench coach with the Yankees.
“He’s somebody that I think is really good at what he does and a great person,” Boone added, according to Miller. “It’s obviously tough and challenging, but he’s also cut out for it and equipped for it.”
New York Mets’ Carlos Mendoza Could Be Fired Amid Team Struggles
But even as Boone shared his optimism, Mendoza’s job security seemed to hang in the balance. After the Mets missed the playoffs in his second season at the helm, then fired most of the coaches and swapped many of the players on its roster, there might not be anyone left in the organization to take the blame for the poor record.
“The Mets’ problems, which include $340 million shortstop Francisco Lindor playing as if he’s in an occasional daze, go far beyond Mendoza,” Ken Rosenthal wrote for The Athletic. “But that’s almost always the case when a team fires its manager. And with Mendoza, the question might no longer be if but when.”
