Despite spending more money ($136 million) than all but one other team (the crosstown Yankees top the list, of course, at $201 million), the Mets sit in fourth place, 10 1/2 games behind the defending world champion Phillies and seven games behind the Marlins, who spent just $36 million to build this year's team.
The report says that the Mets, with their .464 winning percentage, are on pace to have the second-most expensive cost per win in baseball history. If the Mets continue on their pace, they'll finish the season at 75-87 — costing them roughly $1.78 million per victory.
The only team with a higher number was the 2008 Seattle Mariners, who went 61-101 with a $118 million payroll — costing them $1.93 million per win.
Those Mariners fired their manager, John McLaren, and general manager, Bill Bavasi, after the season ended. Could Jerry Manuel and Omar Minaya be looking forward to a similar fate?
Maybe. But the fault has not been all theirs.
Though the three-year, $36 million deal for Oliver Perez (2-3, 6.38 ERA) could be considered one of the worst in baseball, the Mets have been hamstrung by injury after injury. Jose Reyes and Carlos Delgado haven't played since May, while Carlos Beltran has been out since June.
Still, with the injuries, you'd expect a team with such a high payroll to be better than these Mets are. But even if this team can rise from the depths and pull out an 80-win season, that's unlikely to be much consolation for the franchise — their 2003 team is currently second on the cost-per-win list at $1.77 million.
Of course, since the Mets were picked in April to be hoisting this year's trophy, there have been numerous incidents and situations that have embarrassed the Amazins.
Here's hoping we all get to witness a little history.
