The Mets aren’t the only team facing a crisis

Key Points:

• Several MLB teams with large payrolls, including the Mets, Phillies, Blue Jays, Red Sox, and Astros, are underperforming significantly early in the 2026 season, collectively holding a 43-74 record.
• The Mets have the second-largest luxury-tax payroll behind the Dodgers and Yankees, yet they are struggling near the bottom of their division along with other high-spending teams.
• The primary responsibility for these disappointing results is attributed to team architects such as David Stearns (Mets) and Dave Dombrowski (Phillies), rather than the managers, who generally have shorter tenures.
• Owners like Jim Crane (Astros), John Henry (Red Sox), and Mark Shapiro (Blue Jays) are heavily involved in personnel decisions, influencing the direction and outcomes of their teams.
• Despite the struggles, some managers like the Blue Jays' John Schneider and Red Sox's Alex Cora have job security due to recent successes and contract extensions, while others like the Mets' Carlos Mendoza and Phillies' Rob Thomson face increased scrutiny.