Why the New York Mets are the WORST Run Franchise Ever

By Edcel Panganiban May 31, 2024 13:24

It is 2024, and the New York Mets are in chaos for the team and city whose passionate fanbase and tradition simply cannot coexist with losing. At 22-33, the Mets' current No. 4 spot in the NL East is nothing short of a testament to how bad they have been.

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The Mets' Woes

After bottoming out at 7-18 in May, 2024 has played out as a slog for the Mets, who have lost eight of their last nine games. That has not been reflected in commensurate on-field success — even with a $344.6 million payroll. This roster has been simply less than impressive — confounding and upsetting fans and analysts who believed that they could play to a higher level.

The Dilemma of the Billionaire Owner

Billionaire owner Steve Cohen, with Mets fans' expectations of turning their moribund club into a consistent winner, is at the crossroads. The Mets, despite significant investments and a 101-win season in 2022, have yet to compete for any major championships in Cohen's tenure. The disparity in their financial resources and their returns on the field have led to questions about how pragmatic their strategies and resource distribution are.

Jorge López: The Lost Cause

Now Mets reliever Jorge López’s inputs the Mets' misery with a recent incident. López, through comments to reporters and his release after a wild on-field outburst, has tapped into the level of frustration and unrest within the team. And the whole exchange was symbolic of the root of the Mets' problems and the pressure on their management and leadership.

Path to Redemption

Such grave challenges present the Mets with a potential game-changing situation for reflection and change. Their player development, coaching strategies, and organizational culture — the very things holding this organization from being successful — need to be fixed. There is an argument the ownership has to be most responsible for establishing a culture that enables long term success and ultimately this links back to the fact this is not the case. A strategic change in ambitions, assets, and leadership is necessary to correct the Mets, and what they are doing to ourselves.

The Audience's Role

However, the loyal fanbase of the Mets is a key strategic asset to the ball-club despite their current misfortune. Their passionate support and undying loyalty are the bedrock of that renaissance. If the Mets ever hope to have sustained success, being transparent, creating a relationship with the fanbase, and having their plans aligning with what the fans envision the Mets to be in the future will go a long way in having a promising future.