It’s early in the 2026 Major League Baseball season. That’s probably what New York Mets fans are telling themselves, especially after a rocky start for the second-highest-paid team in baseball.
The Mets began the season with a decent 7-4 record, including a series win against the San Francisco Giants despite losing Juan Soto to a calf injury. They even managed to win four straight games against the Arizona Diamondbacks. But things then took a turn for the worse.
A shocking 10-game losing streak ensued, culminating in a 4-2 defeat to the Chicago Cubs. This marked a sudden drop from their initial momentum.
Mets Struggling Early in the Season
After winning the first game against the Diamondbacks, they lost the next two outings by a combined score of 14-3. Following that, they faced the Athletics but struggled to score, managing only six runs across three games with two shutout losses. Then came the Los Angeles Dodgers series, which was even more disappointing.
The Mets suffered a series of losses, including a 16-6 blowout against the Cubs. They took a brief lead on Saturday with Mark Vientos hitting a solo home run, but the Cubs quickly tied it. Soon after, a decisive three-run homer allowed the Cubs to take control.
Keep in mind, the Mets have a luxury tax salary around $381 million, with an estimated tax liability of $126 million, adding up to a whopping total of $507 million. Yet, they’re currently sitting last in the NL East with a record of 7-14 and a -24 run differential. Strangely enough, they find themselves tied for the worst record in all of Major League Baseball.
It’s early in the season, sure. But this awful start could significantly dampen their playoff hopes. Three weeks ago, Fangraphs had their postseason chances at 89%; now, it’s dropped to 47.5%. The odds of them missing the playoffs are now higher than those of making it. They’re already 6.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves and 5.5 games off the Wild Card spot. While there’s still time for recovery, the hole they’ve dug is getting deeper.
As for the players, hitting has become a major issue. Top prospect Carson Benge is batting .150, and big free agent acquisition Bo Bichette is also struggling to find his groove. Some players are below the Mendoza line, with notable concerns about the overall offensive output. They recently brought Tommy Pham in hopes of boosting their lineup, but so far, as a team, their statistics are below par.
Throughout their recent losing streak, they averaged only 1.8 runs per game. It’s quite concerning.
While the Mets might bounce back—especially with Soto expected to return soon—it serves as a stark reminder that assembling a strong team isn’t simple, even with a hefty payroll. The Dodgers make success seem effortless; the Mets, not so much. Oh, and the cherry on top? It seems to be all Zoran Mamdani’s fault.
