Is Carlos Mendoza Getting Fired In LA?

Episode 695 - Mets Explode For 10 in the 12th

May 19, 202635 minSummary

In this episode of Rico Brogna: A New York Mets Podcast, host Evan Roberts breaks down a wild, marathon baseball game between the Mets and the Washington Nationals. Reflecting on a high-stakes, 12-inning thriller that ultimately saw the Mets erupt for ten runs in the final frame, Roberts explores how this victory served as a crucial turning point in the team’s ongoing efforts to climb out of an early-season slump. The discussion highlights the chaotic nature of the game, touching on questionable umpiring, unconventional managerial decisions, and a series of "inches" that finally started falling the Mets' way. Key individual performances are analyzed, including Bo Bichette’s multi-hit game, Brett Beatty’s defensive contributions at first base, and the gritty bullpen work from Huascar Brazoban and Luke Weaver, who kept the Mets alive through tense extra innings. While acknowledging that the win was not always pretty—citing high walk counts and defensive struggles—the episode emphasizes the team’s developing resilience. Roberts concludes by assessing Christian Scott’s performance and the overall importance of securing such a victory to maintain the team's momentum.

Episode 690 - AJ Ewing Debut & Stearns Press Conference

May 13, 202653 minSummary

In this episode of Rico Brogna, host Evan Roberts breaks down an eventful night at Citi Field where the Mets surged to a 10-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers. The episode highlights the much-anticipated major league debut of prospect A.J. Ewing, whose impressive eye at the plate, including drawing three walks and hitting a triple, provided a necessary spark for the team. Roberts reflects on the Mets' fortune in this game, acknowledging that while the team benefited from defensive miscues by the Tigers, the win offered a positive momentum shift. The second half of the podcast focuses on the recent media availability of President of Baseball Operations David Stearns. Roberts provides a candid critique of the front office, analyzing Stearns' responses regarding the team’s underperforming offense, the ongoing injury crisis, and the recurring health issues surrounding players like Luis Robert Jr. and Francisco Alvarez. Throughout the episode, Roberts balances enthusiasm for the team's young talent with a pragmatic, often skeptical look at the organization’s current roster strategy and the challenging road ahead for the club as they navigate a difficult season.

Episode 689 - AJ Ewing Gets the Call

May 12, 202641 minSummary

In episode 689 of Rico Brogna, host Evan Roberts examines the New York Mets’ current struggles and their recent decision to promote top prospect AJ Ewing. Roberts acknowledges that while the organization is operating from a position of desperation, the move is a welcome effort to inject much-needed energy into an underperforming lineup. He highlights Ewing's impressive performance in the minor leagues—noting his ability to hit for average, draw walks, and impact the game with his speed and defense—as reasons for optimism. Despite the risks of rushing a young player, Roberts argues that the current state of the team warrants this aggressive approach. The discussion also explores potential trade scenarios to salvage the season. Roberts evaluates the possibility of acquiring veterans like Rafael Devers or Matt Chapman from the San Francisco Giants. While acknowledging the need for offensive talent, he expresses significant skepticism regarding the long-term viability of their massive, multi-year contracts, especially as both players face offensive decline. Ultimately, the episode centers on the balance between seeking immediate relief for a stagnant offense and maintaining organizational discipline regarding future flexibility.

Episode 688 - Mets Are Back In Last Place

May 11, 20261h 16mSummary

In this episode of Rico Brogna: A New York Mets Podcast, host Evan Roberts dives into the frustration surrounding the team’s recent performance against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Reflecting on a disappointing series, Roberts expresses his exhaustion with a Mets offense that he describes as historically poor. He highlights the team’s inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities, noting that even when the pitching staff provides a chance to win, the hitters consistently fail to produce, often looking helpless against struggling opposing pitchers. A major focus of the discussion is the "broken" nature of the offense, which Roberts supports with a deep dive into the 40-game sample size now available this season. He points out the team's tendency to get shut down for long stretches, citing statistics about consecutive batters retired. While acknowledging that the Mets have suffered from some bad luck—highlighted by several hard-hit balls resulting in outs—Roberts insists that luck does not excuse the team's overall lack of production. The episode captures the mood of a frustrated fanbase witnessing a team that seems unable to find its footing, leaving listeners to grapple with a bleak outlook for the remainder of the season.

Episode 686 - Mets Take Series In Denver

May 8, 20261h 8mSummary

In episode 686 of Rico Brogna: A New York Mets Podcast, host Evan Roberts breaks down the recent series against the Colorado Rockies. While the Mets secured a series victory, Roberts expresses significant frustration regarding the final game, labeling the offensive performance as unacceptable. Despite the team's inability to sweep the series, the discussion highlights the broader concerns surrounding the 2026 roster's offensive depth and the heavy reliance on specific players like Juan Soto to carry the load. The episode features a deep dive into Carlos Mendoza’s lineup construction, debating the effectiveness of matchups against left-handed pitching and the limited options available to the manager. Roberts also evaluates the pitching staff, praising Christian Scott’s promising development while voicing concern over the team's "five-and-fly" starting pitching trend. By analyzing how previous bullpen usage impacted the availability of key relievers, the host emphasizes the cascading effect of poor performances on the series outcome. Ultimately, the episode serves as a candid assessment of a team struggling to find consistency and the difficult questions the organization faces as it attempts to climb back toward .500.

The Next Zack Wheeler Has Arrived

May 8, 202612 minSummary

In this episode of Rico Brogna: A New York Mets Podcast, the host breaks down recent series performances, emphasizing the importance of consistent progress as the team works to climb back toward a .500 record. While the team successfully took two out of three games in Arizona, the discussion highlights frustration over offensive stagnation and the recurring issue of allowing runs while ahead in the count. A primary focus of the episode is the emergence of pitcher Christian Scott. The host draws compelling parallels between Scott and former Met Zack Wheeler, noting not just his physical presence on the mound but his poise during high-leverage situations. Despite Scott’s impressive start, the host analyzes the decision to pull him early due to strict pitch count management, sparking a conversation about the necessity of stretching young arms to provide needed depth for the bullpen. The episode also explores the ripple effects of bullpen usage, explaining how poor performances in lopsided games force difficult personnel decisions that impact the team's ability to compete in close contests. Ultimately, the host underscores that even with improved pitching, the team’s long-term success hinges on finding more consistent offensive production.

What Do We Do With David Peterson?

May 1, 20266 minSummary

The hosts of Rico Brogna: A New York Mets Podcast tackle the ongoing struggles of the Mets pitching staff, focusing specifically on how to manage the current rotation woes. The discussion centers on David Peterson, with the consensus being that his time as a starting pitcher should come to an end. Instead, the hosts suggest transitioning Peterson to the bullpen, where he could provide value as a bulk-inning reliever similar to his postseason performance. Beyond Peterson, the episode dives into the concerning health and performance of Sean Manaea and Kodai Senga. The hosts express frustration over the organization’s handling of these pitchers, questioning whether lingering injuries—such as Manaea’s past elbow issues—are behind their recent velocity drops. They argue that both should be placed on the injured list to properly address their health. To fill the void in the rotation, the podcast advocates for promoting Tobias Myers, proposing that the team begin stretching him out as a starter immediately. The hosts emphasize that Myers has earned his opportunity, marking a clear path forward for a struggling rotation.

Episode 681 - Mets Actually Win A Game

Apr 29, 202648 minSummary

In this episode of Rico Brogna, host Evan Roberts breaks down the New York Mets’ long-awaited 8-0 shutout victory against the Washington Nationals. While the win was a welcome relief after a three-week stretch of struggling to secure comfortable victories, Roberts balances his enthusiasm with a realistic look at the team's ongoing challenges. He highlights the standout performance of starting pitcher Clay Holmes, who continues to establish himself as a reliable force in the rotation, and praises key offensive contributors like Carson Benge and Juan Soto for stepping up during a productive fourth inning. Beyond the game itself, the episode dives into important news from manager Carlos Mendoza’s recent press conference, specifically regarding injury updates and the team’s current pitching rotation dilemmas. Roberts expresses skepticism and concern over how the team is managing its personnel, including the decision to place Kodai Senga on the injured list and the lack of clarity surrounding the starting rotation's stability. Throughout the discussion, the podcast keeps a firm focus on the urgent need for the Mets to build momentum as they navigate a difficult road trip and attempt to climb back from their current deficit in the standings.

Episode 678 - Mets Win Series Over Twins

Apr 24, 202656 minSummary

In this episode of Rico Brogna: A New York Mets Podcast, the host reflects on a wild, high-stakes series win against the Twins at Citi Field. Despite a two-game winning streak that has provided some relief to the fanbase, the episode focuses on critical concerns regarding the team’s late-game management and bullpen stability. The discussion centers on the manager’s decision-making, specifically a communication breakdown that led to confusion in the eighth and ninth innings. The host expresses deep frustration with closer Devin Williams, arguing that he lacks the necessary conviction for high-pressure situations and suggesting that Luke Weaver may be a more reliable option for the ninth inning moving forward. Beyond the bullpen struggles, the episode breaks down the team's offensive resilience following a blown seven-run lead. Key highlights include the clutch at-bats from Brett Beatty and Bo Bichette, which proved vital in securing the win. The host also analyzes the shaky start from prospect Christian Scott and questions the organization’s current rotation depth, ultimately emphasizing that while this series win is a positive step, the team must address its systemic mistakes to maintain any long-term momentum.

Episode 675 - April Off Day Therapy Session

Apr 20, 202642 minSummary

In episode 675 of the Rico Brogna podcast, host Evan Roberts hosts an open-air therapy session from the rooftop of the WFAN studios to address the New York Mets’ recent struggles. Following an 11-game losing streak, the episode serves as a space for fans to process the frustration surrounding the team’s current performance. Roberts spends much of the discussion analyzing the management of the ballclub, specifically questioning manager Carlos Mendoza’s decision-making in high-leverage situations. While he acknowledges that David Stearns and the front office are likely to remain patient, he admits that the team’s lack of success makes the idea of a managerial change a persistent topic of conversation. The episode also features an extensive Q&A segment based on listener emails. Topics range from historical comparisons to the 1992 Mets, the potential merits of moving players like Brandon Nimmo to different positions, and the team's perceived failures in player development. Throughout the show, Roberts balances his critical assessment of the roster's flaws with a desire to maintain a sense of community for fans navigating a difficult start to the baseball season.