Phillies hire former Mets manager Carlos Mendoza to replace Bobby Dickerson

One day after making Don Mattingly the full-time manager, Dave Dombrowski filled the first hole on the new staff. Former Mets manager Carlos Mendoza is coming to Philadelphia as the Phillies’ infield and third base coach, taking over the infield job Bobby Dickerson left behind.

Phillies hire Carlos Mendoz as 3B Coach and Infield Coach

The Phillies have hired former Mets Manager Carlos Mendoza as 3B Coach and Infield Coach. pic.twitter.com/NeVAyI9FY5

— Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate) October 15, 2026

Carlos Mendoza:

Carlos Mendoza managed the Mets from 2024 until he was let go midway through 2026 after a 34-47 start. His overall record in Queens was 206-199, which is a lot more respectable than how his tenure ended. In his first year, he took the Mets to the NLCS, where they lost to the Dodgers in six games.

Before New York, Mendoza spent years on the Yankees staff, including time as their infield coach, so this isn’t a random fit. He knows how to work with infielders, and after the Phillies went from plus-20 Outs Above Average to minus-11 in one season, that’s exactly where they need help.

The Fit Makes Sense, the Optics Don’t:

On paper, I get it. Carlos Mendoza has managed in a big market, he’s coached infield before and he knows the NL East inside and out. Getting Trea Turner back to his 2025 defensive form and cleaning up an infield that gave away 31 outs this year is a real job, and Mendoza has the background for it.

This is the same story with this front office over and over. The Phillies swung and missed on Alex Cora twice, kept the interim manager, and now they’re filling the staff with a manager their division rival just showed the door. It’s not a bad hire. It’s just not the kind of move that tells anyone this organization is thinking big.

Anthony Contreras, who got promoted to third base coach during the season, is expected to stay with the club in a different role, according to The Athletic’s Matt Gelb.

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