The New York Mets’ postseason dreams vanished after a 4-0 loss to the Miami Marlins, eliminating them on the final day of the regular season. Despite boasting one of the most expensive rosters in Major League Baseball, the team suffered an unexpected collapse during the second half of the tournament.
Juan Soto, who arrived with sky-high expectations and a record-breaking contract, wasn’t enough to stop the team’s downfall. The offense faltered in crucial moments, while pitching and defense gave way under the pressure of the season’s closing stretch.
Was this failure the result of Soto’s contract “weight” or collective shortcomings as a team?
For many, the answer points to the latter. While Soto carried the expectations of teammates and fans alike, the collapse was far from his alone: affected pitching rotations, injuries, inconsistent defense, and underperformance in decisive games proved decisive in the Mets’ elimination.