Over the winter, the New York Mets and San Diego Padres were among the busiest teams in terms of free agency.
New York had lost Jacob deGrom to the Texas Rangers but filled their rotation by signing Justin Verlander, Kodai Senga, and Jose Quintana.
They also brought back Brandon Nimmo.
The Padres on the other hand signed Xander Bogaerts, Matt Carpenter, Nelson Cruz, and Michael Wacha.
Both teams were expected to be powerhouses in the National League this season.
However, they are both under the .500 mark.
On Twitter, MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY pointed out a troubling fact, that the Mets and Padres committed a total of $800 million thanks to their signings and went over the luxury tax threshold, and that now, both teams are at risk of missing the postseason.
If you include luxury tax penalties, the #mets and #Parents are dropping about $800 million to go a combined 59-66 and sit home for the playoffs.
—Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) June 9, 2023
This is yet another poignant reminder that just because a team may “win the offseason” with some big signings doesn’t mean that a successful season is guaranteed.
Of course, it’s not to say that teams shouldn’t spend money to improve their rosters.
However, it serves as a grim reminder that a busy offseason doesn’t guarantee success during the regular season, or even the postseason should the Mets and Padres end up qualifying.
New York was recently swept by the Atlanta Braves.
They are now 30-33 and sit 8.5 games out of first place.
The Padres own a record of 29-33 and sit eight games out of first.
Both are close in the Wild Card race, but this season has not been kind to either team.
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