# Mets' Offseason Blunders Could Haunt Future

> Mets' $250M offseason splash risks long-term financial and on-field damage
- Title: Mets' Offseason Blunders Could Haunt Future · SI | Shortify
- Summary: Mets' $250M offseason splash risks long-term financial and on-field damage Mets' aggressive spending led to poor player performance and financial penalties…
- Keywords: mets, nfl, mlb, steve cohen, payroll, competitive balance tax, franchise, player options, freddy peralta, jorge polanco, luis robert jr, bo bichette
- Source: SI — https://si.com/mlb/mets/mets-seven-dreadful-offseason-decisions-could-haunt-them-in-the-future
- Published: 2026-09-16T11:00:01+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: mets, nfl, mlb, steve cohen, payroll, competitive balance tax, franchise, player options, freddy peralta, jorge polanco, luis robert jr, bo bichette
## Mets' Postseason Miss
Mets missed 2025 postseason with 83-79 record after aggressive offseason spending
## Payroll Tax Hit
Mets face $100 million tax bill due to $356 million payroll exceeding league's competitive balance tax threshold
## Draft Pick Penalty
Mets' first-round draft pick could drop 10 spots due to payroll exceeding competitive balance tax threshold
## Freddy Peralta Trade
Mets traded top prospects for Freddy Peralta who posted 4.99 ERA and was shipped to Rays after 22 starts

> Peralta made 22 starts for Mets with 4.99 ERA before being traded to Rays
## Jorge Polanco Injury
Polanco signed for $40 million but injured, missing most of season with .431 OPS and -1.4 bWAR
## Luis Robert Jr. Trade
Mets traded Luis Robert Jr. to Orioles after 58 games with 10 home runs and 23 RBIs
## Bo Bichette Contract
Bichette signed $126 million contract but has sub-.600 OPS and 219 batting average after moving to third base
## Marcus Semien Struggles
Semien has -7 outs above average at second base with 76 wRC+ and 14 home runs after trade
## Pete Alonso Departure
Mets let Alonso leave without offer after he signed $155 million deal with Orioles
## Devin Williams Performance
Williams signed $51 million deal but has 4.66 ERA and -0.6 bWAR after 38 2/3 innings
## Financial Flexibility
Mets will have more financial flexibility after 2028 as most top earners move off books
## Tax Impact
Mets payroll exceeds league's competitive balance tax threshold by nearly $100 million
## Player Options
Bichette and Semien have player options through 2028 that could limit team's ability to add talent
## Draft Position Risk
Mets' draft pick could drop 10 spots if they finish outside top six of league standings
## Offseason Strategy
Mets spent $250 million on free agents and trades to build World Series contender
## Future Impact
Mets' poor performance could lead to long-term financial and competitive disadvantages
## Key takeaway

Mets' aggressive spending led to poor player performance and financial penalties that could hurt future competitiveness