Are the Mets and Phillies really as bad as they seem? The NL East is in disarray, with both teams struggling to find their footing. The Phillies, swept by the Braves, are 8-13, and the Mets, with a 7-15 record, are not far behind. The Mets' offense has been lackluster, with only two players, Francisco Alvarez and Luis Robert, Jr., showing any real power. The Phillies' pitching has also been a concern, with a high BABIP (batting average on balls in play) and a league-worst record. The situation is dire, and the question remains: are these teams truly as bad as their records suggest?
One thing that stands out is the high payrolls of these teams. The Mets, Phillies, and Astros are carrying some of the highest payrolls in the game, and this could be a contributing factor to their struggles. The owners of these teams may be more inclined to scapegoat their managers, leading to in-season dismissals. This raises a deeper question: is the high payroll a curse in disguise, leading to poor roster construction and a lack of accountability?
The Padres' sale to José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones for $3.9 billion is a stark contrast to the Mets and Phillies' struggles. The Padres' sale is a testament to the increasing value of MLB franchises, which has risen by multiple hundreds of percentage points over the last couple of decades. This trend will likely be a point of discussion during CBA negotiations, as the 'parity' argument seems to be losing steam.
In other news, the Dodgers' Freddie Freeman went on the paternity list, allowing 28-year-old Ryan Ward to make his MLB debut. Ward, a long-time minor leaguer, has been steadily improving his numbers in Triple-A, and his call-up is a heartwarming story. However, the Dodgers' depth at first base and corner infield positions may make it challenging for Ward to stick with the team.
The Yankees' Ben Rice leads the league in OPS, and the Cubs' Alex Bregman is working on his swing. The Nationals' shutout was a rare occurrence, and the Rockies are experimenting with pitch-calling from the dugout. The death of Garret Anderson, a former Angels player, was a sad reminder of the fragility of life. And finally, Shohei Ohtani's on-base streak continues, with the Dodgers star now on 51 games.
