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Mets' $500 Million Roster Struggles Amid 10-Game Losing Skid
New York's high-priced lineup has scored just 1.8 runs per game during the team's dismal start to the 2026 season.
Apr. 19, 2026 at 12:49am by Ben Kaplan
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The Mets' high-priced roster has crumbled under the weight of a 10-game losing streak, exposing the challenges even the wealthiest franchises face in building a consistent winner.San Francisco TodayThe New York Mets, with a payroll of over $500 million, have stumbled out of the gate in 2026, losing 10 consecutive games and falling to last place in the NL East. Despite a 7-4 start, the Mets' offense has completely evaporated since losing star outfielder Juan Soto to injury, scoring fewer than two runs per game during their double-digit losing streak.
Why it matters
The Mets' brutal start has already severely impacted their playoff odds, dropping from 89% to just 47.5% in a matter of weeks. This is a stark reminder that building a winning team is not an exact science, even with a massive payroll, as the Mets' struggles contrast sharply with the consistent success of the rival Dodgers.
The details
After winning three of four against the Giants and beating the Diamondbacks to improve to 7-4, the Mets have lost 10 consecutive games. During this skid, they've been outscored 16-6 by the Cubs, swept by the Athletics at home, and swept by the Dodgers on the road. Top prospect Carson Benge, free agent signing Bo Bichette, and other key hitters have all struggled mightily, contributing to the team's wRC+ of 81, 19% worse than league average.
- The Mets' 10-game losing streak began on April 8th.
- Juan Soto suffered a calf injury on April 3rd and is expected to return in 7-10 days.
The players
Juan Soto
A star outfielder for the Mets who suffered a calf injury on April 3rd and is expected to return in 7-10 days.
Carson Benge
A top Mets prospect who is hitting .150 with a .217 slugging percentage so far this season.
Bo Bichette
A high-priced free agent signing by the Mets who has struggled mightily to start the season.
Devin Williams
The Mets' closer who imploded in an 8-2 loss to the Dodgers.
Mark Vientos
A Mets player who hit a solo home run in their 4-2 loss to the Cubs.
What’s next
Juan Soto is expected to return from his calf injury in the next 7-10 days, which could provide a much-needed boost to the Mets' struggling offense.
The takeaway
The Mets' disastrous start to the 2026 season, despite having one of the highest payrolls in MLB, is a stark reminder that building a winning team is not an exact science. Their steep decline in playoff odds underscores the challenges even the wealthiest franchises can face in fielding a consistently competitive roster.
