The New York Mets, a franchise once known as baseball's lovable losers, have become the sport's most expensive losers. With the second-highest payroll in Major League Baseball at around $380 million, the Mets own the worst record in the majors at 10-21 after a shocking April. They lost 5-4 to the Washington Nationals on Thursday, dropping to last place in the National League East, even worse than their rivals the Philadelphia Phillies.
A Disastrous Start
The Mets' chances of making the postseason plummeted from 87% on Opening Day to less than 30%, according to FanGraphs. They have lost 17 of their last 20 games. Manager Carlos Mendoza stated, "Not good enough. Obviously not a secret. That's not going to do it. We got to start winning series. Period."
Long-Term Decline
The team's struggles extend beyond April. Since August 2 last season, the Mets are 31-53 over their last 84 games, a 102-loss pace. This decline comes despite the deep pockets of owner Steve Cohen, who bought the club in 2020 with hopes of turning it into a winner.
Offensive Woes
The Mets' offense has been abysmal, ranking last in weighted on-base average. Star Juan Soto has hit well but recently returned from injury. Other high-priced acquisitions like Bo Bichette, Marcus Semien, and Jorge Polanco, earning a combined $85 million, have underperformed with on-base percentages below .275. Younger players like Carson Benge, Mark Vientos, and Brett Baty have not stepped up.
Roster-Building Questions
The Mets' struggles raise questions about the "throw money at it" strategy. While the Los Angeles Dodgers have succeeded with high payrolls, the Mets show that money alone isn't enough. General manager David Stearns, hired from the Milwaukee Brewers, faces scrutiny as his signings have faltered in New York. Injuries to players like Luis Robert, who has been on the injured list 10 times in seven seasons, have also hurt.
Glimmers of Hope
Despite the dismal start, there are positives. The farm system is well-regarded, Soto remains elite, and rookie pitcher Nolan McLean looks like a future Cy Young winner. Benge is a smooth outfielder who should improve. However, the Mets have already banked too many losses, making a playoff run unlikely.
Owner Steve Cohen will not tolerate such a poor return on investment. He could fire Mendoza or Stearns, but disrupting the long-term plan may not be the answer. The Mets need a new approach, as throwing money at problems has not worked.
