MLB Postseason Begins with Mets’ Unforeseen Exit
As Major League Baseball kicks off its postseason with the first wildcard game on Tuesday, one of the most surprising outcomes from the lengthy 162-game season was the New York Mets’ failure to secure a World Series spot.
Despite boasting the highest payroll in the league and reaching the National League Championship Series last season, the Mets faced a significant setback, losing to the Miami Marlins in their final game. While the Cincinnati Reds lost to the Milwaukee Brewers, who had already clinched a playoff position, the Mets’ 4-0 defeat sealed their own fate.
The Mets’ fans have been vocal in response, and notable sports radio personality Mike Francesa has expressed his frustrations with the organization.
“This is a huge mistake,” Francesa stated on his podcast. “We’re witnessing one of the most significant and unremarkable collapses from a talented team we’ve seen in a long time.”
With a staggering payroll of $340 million in 2025, bolstered by a record free-agent signing of Juan Soto, the Mets looked promising, leading the MLB standings in mid-June. However, they soon struggled, experiencing a series of inconsistent performances.
Francesa criticized the team, saying, “There are just bad teams. This isn’t one of them. They have talent but are merely a group of unstable players, and that’s deeply embarrassing.” He added that he underestimated how poorly they would perform, particularly their pitching, throughout the year.
Following their disappointing end, the Mets are now turning their focus to the 2026 season. General Manager David Stearns confirmed that manager Carlos Mendoza will return next year. However, star player Pete Alonso has decided to opt-out of free agency after the defeat against the Marlins.
Since June 12, the Mets have struggled with a record of 38 wins and 55 losses. This drastic decline is particularly stark given their hopeful start, where they led the Reds by six games for the wild card on September 1.
Francesa remarked that the Mets’ issues have been like a gradual decline—a “slow IV drip,” starting in late June and persisting without resolution.
