MLB · 1 hour ago

2026 Mets flirting with one of the worst seasons in franchise history

Bo Marchionte

Host · Writer

Mets Big Payroll & Big Disappointment
2003 Mets (66-95)

The 2003 Mets finished 66-95 under manager Art Howe and became another example of a talented roster failing to meet expectations. Coming off an aggressive push to improve the club, New York hoped Howe could replicate the success he enjoyed elsewhere.

Instead, the season unraveled quickly.

The pitching staff lacked consistency, the offense struggled to produce timely hits and the club never found sustained momentum. While the record was not among the worst in franchise history, the disappointment surrounding the season was substantial because expectations were significantly higher.

Unlike the expansion-era Mets, this team was not expected to lose 95 games. Ownership invested heavily and expected postseason contention. Instead, the Mets spent most of the year looking up in the standings.

The lesson from 2003 remains relevant today: payroll and star power guarantee nothing. Execution still determines success.

Mets Quick Hits
- Record: 66-95
- Manager: Art Howe
- High expectations entering the season
- Finished near the bottom of the standings
- One of the franchise's biggest modern disappointments
Mets Big Payroll & Big Disappointment
Big Payroll, Bigger Disappointments

Highest Payrolls in MLB
- Dodgers - $395.8 million
- Mets - $367.9 million
- Yankees - $325.4 million
- Phillies - $309.6 million
- Blue Jays - $302.4 million
The New York Mets entered Major League Baseball in 1962 and endured predictable expansion-team growing pains. During their first four seasons, the Mets won just 194 total games, a staggering illustration of how difficult those early years were. Yet progress followed.

Over the next four seasons, New York won approximately 300 games and culminated the turnaround with one of the most remarkable championships in sports history, capturing the 1969 World Series.

Fast forward to today and the contrast is impossible to ignore.

As the 2026 season approaches the All-Star break, the Mets find themselves at the bottom of the National League East and hovering uncomfortably close to the lower tier of the overall MLB standings. What makes the situation particularly alarming is the investment. This is not a rebuilding club. This is a team assembled to contend for a championship.

The Mets entered the season with one of the largest payrolls in baseball, making their struggles far more difficult to justify. While the franchise's worst teams lacked talent and resources, this club has both. That reality is why many fans view this season as one of the most disappointing in recent memory.

Mets Quick Hits
- Second-highest payroll in baseball.
- Entered the season with playoff expectations.
- Near the bottom of the NL East.
- Performance hasn't matched investment.
- Growing comparisons to previous Mets disappointments.
- Page 2: A History of Last-Place Finishes
Mets Big Payroll & Big Disappointment
How Often Have the Mets Finished Last?

Mets Last-Place Finishes
- 1962
- 1963
- 1964
- 1965
- 1967
- 1977
- 1978
- 1979
- 1982
- 1983
- 1993
- 2026 Currently Last
The Mets have experienced plenty of success throughout their history, including two World Series championships and multiple playoff runs. However, the franchise has also spent considerable time at the bottom of the standings.

New York has finished in last place 11 times since joining Major League Baseball in 1962. Most of those seasons occurred during the franchise's early years as the organization struggled to build a competitive roster. The Mets finished last in 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965 and 1967 before another difficult stretch from 1977 through 1979. Additional last-place finishes followed in 1982, 1983 and 1993.

That history makes the current season especially concerning.

While there is still time to change the narrative, the Mets are flirting with another bottom-of-the-division finish. Unlike many of the teams listed below, however, this roster was assembled with postseason aspirations and one of baseball's largest payrolls.

Mets Quick Hits
- 11 last-place finishes in franchise history.
- Five came within the first six seasons.
- Three straight last-place finishes from 1977-79.
- Last-place finish in 1993 despite major spending.
- 2026 risks joining the list.
Mets Big Payroll & Big Disappointment
1977 Mets (64-98)

The 1977 Mets finished 64-98 under manager Joe Frazier and opened one of the bleakest chapters in franchise history. The club finished last in the National League East and struggled to generate excitement both on and off the field.

The season is remembered most for the controversial departure of franchise icon Tom Seaver. Known as the "Midnight Massacre," Seaver's trade to Cincinnati symbolized an organization moving backward rather than forward.

The roster lacked star power, attendance declined and optimism was difficult to find. New York would finish last again in both 1978 and 1979, making 1977 the beginning of a prolonged downturn.

Unlike today's Mets, expectations for the 1977 club were relatively modest. Fans understood the limitations of the roster. That is why many would argue the current season feels more disappointing despite a better record.

Mets Quick Hits
- Record: 64-98
- Manager: Joe Frazier
- Finished last in NL East
- Tom Seaver was traded during the season
- Started a three-year last-place run
Mets Big Payroll & Big Disappointment
1993 Mets (59-103)

The 1993 Mets remain one of the most infamous teams in franchise history. Managed by Jeff Torborg, early on but his 13-25 start led to his firing and hiring of Dallas Green (46-78).

New York finished 59-103 despite carrying a roster filled with recognizable veterans and a payroll that ranked among baseball's largest.

The team became known as "The Worst Team Money Could Buy," a nickname that still follows the franchise decades later. Injuries, underperformance and clubhouse turmoil created a season that spiraled out of control almost from the start.

What separates the 1993 club from many other losing Mets teams is expectation. Ownership spent heavily expecting results, but the return on investment never materialized. Instead, New York finished last and became one of baseball's biggest disappointments.

The Mets of 1993 are personally was one of the most frustrating teams I can remember. The current club has not reached that level yet, but the parallels are impossible to ignore.

Mets Quick Hits
- Record: 59-103
- Manager: Jeff Torborg & Dallas Green
- Nicknamed "The Worst Team Money Could Buy"
- Entered season with playoff expectations
- Finished last in the NL East
Mets Big Payroll & Big Disappointment
2003 Mets (66-95)

The 2003 Mets finished 66-95 under manager Art Howe and became another example of a talented roster failing to meet expectations. Coming off an aggressive push to improve the club, New York hoped Howe could replicate the success he enjoyed elsewhere.

Instead, the season unraveled quickly.

The pitching staff lacked consistency, the offense struggled to produce timely hits and the club never found sustained momentum. While the record was not among the worst in franchise history, the disappointment surrounding the season was substantial because expectations were significantly higher.

Unlike the expansion-era Mets, this team was not expected to lose 95 games. Ownership invested heavily and expected postseason contention. Instead, the Mets spent most of the year looking up in the standings.

The lesson from 2003 remains relevant today: payroll and star power guarantee nothing. Execution still determines success.

Mets Quick Hits
- Record: 66-95
- Manager: Art Howe
- High expectations entering the season
- Finished near the bottom of the standings
- One of the franchise's biggest modern disappointments
Mets Big Payroll & Big Disappointment
Big Payroll, Bigger Disappointments

Highest Payrolls in MLB
- Dodgers - $395.8 million
- Mets - $367.9 million
- Yankees - $325.4 million
- Phillies - $309.6 million
- Blue Jays - $302.4 million
The New York Mets entered Major League Baseball in 1962 and endured predictable expansion-team growing pains. During their first four seasons, the Mets won just 194 total games, a staggering illustration of how difficult those early years were. Yet progress followed.

Over the next four seasons, New York won approximately 300 games and culminated the turnaround with one of the most remarkable championships in sports history, capturing the 1969 World Series.

Fast forward to today and the contrast is impossible to ignore.

As the 2026 season approaches the All-Star break, the Mets find themselves at the bottom of the National League East and hovering uncomfortably close to the lower tier of the overall MLB standings. What makes the situation particularly alarming is the investment. This is not a rebuilding club. This is a team assembled to contend for a championship.

The Mets entered the season with one of the largest payrolls in baseball, making their struggles far more difficult to justify. While the franchise's worst teams lacked talent and resources, this club has both. That reality is why many fans view this season as one of the most disappointing in recent memory.

Mets Quick Hits
- Second-highest payroll in baseball.
- Entered the season with playoff expectations.
- Near the bottom of the NL East.
- Performance hasn't matched investment.
- Growing comparisons to previous Mets disappointments.
- Page 2: A History of Last-Place Finishes

2026 Mets flirting with one of the worst seasons in franchise history

2003 Mets (66-95)

Mets Quick Hits

Big Payroll, Bigger Disappointments

Mets Quick Hits

How Often Have the Mets Finished Last?

Mets Quick Hits

1977 Mets (64-98)

Mets Quick Hits

1993 Mets (59-103)

Mets Quick Hits

2003 Mets (66-95)

Mets Quick Hits

Big Payroll, Bigger Disappointments

Mets Quick Hits

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