Thursday, April 23, 2026

After $310M Offseason, The New York Mets Are Leading MLB

  • The Mets’ $258.3 million payroll is the second-highest in MLB.
  • Even without Jacob deGrom, they lead the league among starters for ERA (2.16), WHIP (0.85), and AVG (.178).
Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

They aren’t quite “sleepers” given how much they’ve spent, but the Mets are off to their best start since 2015 — when they last made the World Series.

New York has the best record (14-5) in baseball, and with Tuesday’s 3-0 win against the Cardinals, set franchise history by winning each of the season’s first six series.

Second-year owner Steve Cohen has shown a willingness to spend whatever it takes to win, helping build what’s shaped out to be a well-rounded team led by the best pitching staff in baseball.

  • The Mets’ spent $309.8M this offseason (4th in MLB) and their $258.3 million payroll is the second-highest in MLB.
  • They’re 4-0 in games Max Scherzer starts; he signed a three-year, $130M contract this offseason ($43.3M AAV is the highest in league history).
  • New York leads the league among starters for ERA (2.16), WHIP (0.85), and AVG (.178).
  • The offense leads MLB in hits (163), is second in OBP (.342), and the team has the third-best run differential (+38).

It’s only April, but there’s one main reason to believe they can get back to the Fall Classic: They’ve dominated without a two-time Cy Young Award winner. 

It’ll only get tougher for opposing hitters when you insert Jacob deGrom into a scorching hot rotation with Scherzer, Chris Bassitt, Tylor Megill, and Carlos Carrasco.  

As for deGrom, the team announced that his shoulder is progressively “healing” after MRI and CT scans this past Monday. They have the third-best odds to win it all (+850).

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Royals’ New $3B Stadium Lands Downtown, but Not Where Expected

The MLB club strikes a large-scale development deal with Hallmark Cards.
Apr 17, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Sean Manaea (59) delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the fifth inning at Wrigley Field.

High-Spending Mets Aren’t Alone in Their Losing Ways

Despite a hefty payroll, the club’s losing streak is its longest since 2004.
Apr 4, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Lane Thomas (15) celebrates in the dugout after scoring during the seventh inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Kauffman Stadium.

Kansas City Okays $600M for New Royals Stadium

The MLB club must still complete the rest of its stadium financing plan.

Padres Sale Set to Break MLB Record With $3.9B Deal

The buyer is the cofounder of investment giant Clearlake.

Featured Today

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 25: Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever sits on the baseline and makes photographs during the Indiana Pacers game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Why Athletes Are Moonlighting As Sports Photographers

Athletes are swapping courtside seats for sideline cameras.
Quinnipiac women's varsity rugby
April 21, 2026

The Death of Quinnipiac Women’s Varsity Rugby

The sudden decision at Ilona Maher’s alma mater left players blindsided.
April 17, 2026

The Lawyer Steering the NIL Era

In the new era of college sports, Darren Heitner is everywhere.
blake griffin
April 14, 2026

Inside Blake Griffin’s Rookie Season at Prime Video

The six-time All-Star was initially hesitant to enter the media space.
April 21, 2026

New Blazers Owner Tom Dundon Is Aggressively Cutting Costs

Dundon became the Trail Blazers owner in late March.
April 21, 2026

Billy Donovan Leaves Bulls as Franchise Makeover Continues

Donovan coached the Bulls for six seasons. 
Sponsored

Why Brandon Marshall Bet on Athlete-Owned Media

Brandon Marshall on athlete media, life after football, building I AM ATHLETE.
April 17, 2026

Liberty Stars Are Taking Major Pay Cuts to Chase a WNBA Title

The new CBA makes it harder for teams to sign multiple max players.
Apr 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) steals the ball from Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) in the final minutes of the game of the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Intuit Dome
April 16, 2026

Thunder Rack Up Another Lottery Pick With Clippers Play-In Loss

L.A. hands over its pick while scandal still hangs over the team.
April 10, 2026

Billionaire Broncos Owners Buy 40% of Rockies

The Rockies have finished last in the NL West four straight years.
April 8, 2026

Pirates Break From Frugal Past With Record $140M Konnor Griffin Deal

The low-budget club signs the rookie phenom to a historic contract.