The Philadelphia Phillies have added the former leader of a division rival to their coaching staff.

President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski announced that the team has hired former New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza as its third base and infield coach. 

Mendoza, who has an extensive coaching background, will be tasked with helping improve one of the worst defenses in baseball.

His familiarity with the NL East will also come in handy, as he managed the Mets for over two seasons and led the team to a 206-199 overall record. That included a run to the National League Championship Series in 2024. 

Prior to managing the Mets from 2024 to mid-2026, he spent several years (2018-23) with the Yankees' coaching staff as a bench and infield coach. During this time, he also developed a solid reputation for player development. 

In 2011 and 2012, Mendoza also managed in the Yankees minor league system. In 2011 he managed the Gulf Coast League (GCL) Yankees, leading them to a GCL Championship with a 37-23 record. The following year he was promoted to manage the Single-A Charleston RiverDogs. 

Mendoza only spent two years as a manager in the minors, but did spend nine seasons (2009-17) in the minor league system as a coach and defensive instructor. The experience he gained in the minors allowed him to eventually move up to major league coaching and managing. 

Mendoza follows a data-driven approach that the Phillies plan to utilize to enhance their defense. The Phillies defense was a significant weak point in 2026, as they ranked as the seventh-worst in MLB with a -20 Fielding Run Value. 

Mendoza will work under manager Don Mattingly, who served as interim manager for the Phillies since April 28 of the 2026 season and recently signed a two-year deal to remain the team's manager.