The Mets, the $1 billion team, have become the embarrassment of MLB after allowing a double
New York slumped to their 83rd loss of the season in a 7-1 defeat to the Baltimore Orioles.
The New York Mets have spent heavily to build a roster capable of competing at the highest level, but their latest collapse offered an awkward reminder that money cannot prevent basic mistakes as a routine fly ball exposed costly confusion.
With the highly paid and highly regarded trio of Juan Soto , Francisco Lindor and Bo Bichette converging on a ball in shallow left, none of the three took charge as the ball dropped for a leadoff double.
The poor defensive play drew immediate criticism from the ESPN broadcast as the Mets fell further behind whilst booing broke out, and Kevin Brown did not hold back when describing the play.
“The ball will drop,” Brown said. “Lindor, Bichette and Soto, about a billion-dollars worth of Mets out in left field and none of ’em could pick it up.”
The trio actually represents more than $1.2 billion in contractual value. Soto ’s 15-year deal is worth $765 million and can reach $805 million with incentives, while Lindor is signed for $341 million and Bichette agreed to a $126 million contract.
The mistake was particularly damaging because the fly ball carried an expected batting average of just .010, meaning the ball should be caught 90% of the time whilst Xzavion Curry then surrendered a two-run homer two batters later.
Routine defensive error became a three-run deficit, and the game quickly began slipping away from New York as Soto charged toward the ball whilst Bichette tracked it with his shoulder toward the plate.
Lindor moved diagonally but appeared concerned about colliding with Bichette , who ducked at the last moment, and Eduardo Perez believed he should have made the play, while David Ross agreed.
“Originally, I thought this was Francisco Lindor’s ball,” Perez said, explaining that Bichette was waiting for Lindor to communicate while Soto was the only player who could override everyone.
The result was another defensive breakdown during a four-game losing streak and a five-losses-in-six stretch as the Orioles capitalized immediately.
Taking a 6-0 lead in the second inning before completing a 7-1 victory, the Orioles sealed a three-game sweep and left New York with a bitter taste in their mouths.
The Mets are now facing another disappointing chapter in a season that has unravelled, and is now seemingly going through the motions until the end of the campaign.
Pete Alonso complimentary to Mets fans upon New York return
Meanwhile Pete Alonso ’s return to Citi Field provided one of the few positive storylines during the series as the former Mets slugger hit two home runs, including the 300th of his career, and received a curtain call from the home crowd.
Alonso was also warmly received throughout the series, making his postgame comments particularly intriguing as the Orioles star thanked supporters while also mentioning the New York Yankees and saying the entire city remains meaningful to him.
“I am beyond thankful for all the support and it was really fun to play,” Alonso said. “I feel like New York will always be a place where it feels like homecoming – it doesn't matter whether it's here or at Yankee Stadium.”
The Orioles will visit Yankee Stadium from September 25-27, giving Alonso another opportunity to play in New York .
Meanwhile, the Mets sit 69-83 last in the National League East and 19.5 games behind the division-leading Atlanta Braves .
