Mets clinch last place in NL East with MLB's second-highest payroll at $357 million

The New York Mets clinched last place in the NL East division despite carrying MLB's second-highest payroll of $357 million for the 2026 season. Their last-place finish, secured following a 7-6 loss to the Washington Nationals, is their first such finish since 2003. Poor decision-making and too many underperforming players were cited as key reasons the massive spending failed to produce results.