MIAMI – Team owner Steve Cohen may have realized that the $340 million investment really went down the drain.
The Mets put an end to their struggles on Sunday, concluding a downward spiral that started in June. They lost 4-0 to the Marlins at Randepot Park, marking the end of their season without a postseason win.
To add to the misery, the Reds fell 4-2 to the Brewers. Had the Mets managed a win in their final game, they could have secured a playoff spot.
Teams expected to contend for the World Series will miss the postseason after failing to secure the NL’s third wildcard slot.
The Reds clinched this spot, winning a tiebreaker against the Mets based on their season series results.
The Mets faltered dramatically, finishing 0-8 with runners left on base, leaving ten stranded.
Manager Carlos Mendoza opted for a bullpen game, with starting pitcher Sean Mania only going for an inning.
After spending 83 days in the NL East, the Mets wrapped up their season at 38-55 by June 13. The second half was particularly marred by poor starting pitching.
The main culprits included Kodai Senga, David Peterson, and Manaea.
This collapse mirrored the team’s struggles back in 2007 and 2008, when they also missed playoffs with losses to the Marlins on the final day.
In this game, Manaea faced six batters and retired four, but was pulled after issuing back-to-back walks.
Manaea, who had previously struggled with injuries, finished the season with a 5.64 ERA across 15 appearances after signing a three-year deal worth $75 million.
The Marlins capitalized on the Mets’ rough day, quickly building a 4-0 lead in four innings. Waggaman hit a double that allowed Brooks Rally to score, and Brian Navalette followed up with a double of his own for another run.
Tyler Rodgers gave up an RBI triple to Javier Sanoja, pushing the fourth run across after Xavier Edwards had added to the score with a single.
The Mets had another chance to capitalize in the fifth when they loaded the bases with three walks, but Pete Alonso struck out. Sanoja celebrated with a dance in the outfield as the Mets struggled to respond.
Edwin Diaz, who had started warming up earlier, came in during the fifth and pitched two scoreless innings, but it did little to change the game’s outcome.
The Mets’ last efforts came in the eighth, when Alonso reached base with a single, followed by a walk for Vientos, but McNeill and Alvarez both struck out in succession.
