The Mets are learning the hard way what the Angels have been living for years: signing the wrong guy for huge $$ is a blunder that hurts on so many levels. The opportunity costs have nothing to do with money if you're in a big market, but the necessity of the manager to pencil in the same mediocre names in the line up and on the mound - it hurts player development, team morale and chemistry. It's not all on Buck. At this level, very few managers operate without the shadow of ever-growing front office analytics crew hanging over them. On one hand, the NL is weak. 500 might be enough to punch your ticket to October ball. On the other hand, the NL is really competitive. 91 wins might be enough to lock down homefield advantage.
September is a long ways off and over 162, teams find their place. There's no way Pittsburgh could keep playing up to their early season level. Gotta think the Mets can't keep playing down to theirs.
