The Mets surely believe Carlos Mendoza is a hidden gem plucked from right under their crosstown rival’s nose.

Hidden gems, though, are hidden for a reason. They are often unknown and rarely arrive with fanfare.

Maybe the Mets will be proven right, and maybe Mendoza is the next great manager of a team with World Series expectations. What is clear right now, though, is this hopeful hidden gem will begin his tenure in a hole.

When the music stopped and a particularly fascinating round of manager musical chairs halted Monday, the Mets had missed out on Craig Counsell and instead wound up with Mendoza, who previously served as the Yankees’ bench coach.