Mets Last-Place Finish
Mets Finish Last in NL East for First Time Since 2003 Season
Anonymous
The Mets finished the 2026 season last in the NL East for the first time since 2003, despite beginning the year with a record $358.4 million payroll. Washington beat New York 7-6 on Friday to clinch the Mets’ last-place finish, then won the rain-delayed season finale 6-4 and secured fourth place. New York’s season unraveled after a 12-game April losing streak, injuries and the midseason dismissal of manager Carlos Mendoza; Andy Green is positioned to lead the team forward. Rookie Carson Benge recorded a 20-homer, 20-steal season, and the Mets also saw progress from young pitchers and Sean Manaea’s return to the rotation.
Key Points
1
Andy Green said the Mets must not let unmet expectations weigh on them again: “we’re not going to run into this spot again.” He also viewed avoiding a managerial search as a source of stability going into an uncertain offseason.
2
Nationals closer Josiah Gray earned his first major-league save in his first home appearance in more than two years. The 2023 All-Star had undergone Tommy John surgery and returned to the majors only the previous week.
3
Washington ended the season with momentum: before the final series, it had won or tied four straight series, and manager Blake Butera said the team showed “a lot of progress” and gave him reason to feel good about where it was heading.
4
Before the final series, Nationals center fielder CJ Abrams had 33 home runs and James Wood had 30; Washington also had an emerging ace in Cade Cavalli, who finished 13-5 with a 3.02 ERA.
Sentiment
Mostly NegativeNEGATIVENEUTRALPOSITIVE
Publishers
14
Articles
111
Reach
125
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