The MLB season was a lesson for many MLB teams. The highest spenders of the league, the New York Mets, are one of them. Notably, even after paying $350 million, the NL East side failed badly, finishing at the bottom of the division and the league. Given the investment, it was a shocking end to the season and demanded action. Noting the same, the Mets have responded with positive changes in the off-season.
The MLB off-season is all about signings for the future. As a result, teams are willing to spend high to get the player of their liking, including the Mets. The same is also visible in their approach to making a better squad for the 2024 season with the signing of Yoshinobu Yamamoto. With all the money, this looks like a possibility. However, given the challenges and competition ahead of this move, the Mets have been given an underdog status. However, the supporters express dissatisfaction.
An analyst designates the Mets as underdogs while assessing their chances in the Yoshinobu Yamamoto competition
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The New York Mets are a financially well-endowed team. They have shown this with some groundbreaking deals against the perception in the past. This is why they are seen as a potential landing spot for the Japanese ace. However, recent historical performance and annual results can be potential spoilers.
A question put by Andy Martino from SNY also points to the same. He asked, “Could the underdog Mets actually land Yoshinobu Yamamoto?” This looks shocking but has been asked amidst the changed perspectives.
Per Martino, “the Mets, long an underdog in this race, are actually in it. With perhaps a week to go before Yamamoto chooses a team, Cohen and company appear to have steadily improved their standing.”
Could the underdog Mets actually land Yoshinobu Yamamoto?
New reporting here:https://t.co/rkotrUJQmh
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) December 13, 2023
Notably, the Mets are not the one team behind Yamamoto. This decreases the advantage of one. Plus, the latest move from multiple players from the Los Angeles Dodgers has complicated this situation.
Reportedly, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Shohei Ohtani have talked with the WBC star during his meet with the Dodgers, acting as a pull factor to make it a “Core Four.”
UPDATE‼️The Dodgers brought Yamamoto to their stadium and had Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Shohei Ohtani court him, per The Athletic. What are your thoughts? #NYY pic.twitter.com/jYNXIynYLR
— Fireside Yankees (@FiresideYankees) December 13, 2023
This move from the star players has put other teams on the back foot with an underdog status, including the Mets. However, fans think otherwise and have shared it in the open.
Fans Question the Notion Behind Labeling the Mets as Underdogs
The Mets have spent a lot of money in the past few seasons. This has made them a possible destination for every highly prized player. Fans who have experienced this acknowledge the same and want others to follow suit. But the latest status has ignored it, making fans angry, who have joined the chorus in the following ways.
Now we're underdogs 🙁
— Executive Buying (@ExecutiveBuying) December 13, 2023
Others said the Mets were favorites, so why the change?
Since when have we been the underdogs? We've been one of the favorites all along lol
— Evan O'Brien (@Evanobrien5250) December 13, 2023
Another reciprocated same thought.
weren’t the mets yankees and dodgers always the top 3 teams lol?
— Lucia 🌬🥀 (@Logicaln0nsense) December 13, 2023
However, few joined in and said money is the power, nothing else matters.
when you're owner has endless money then I guess your team is never out on free agents…..
— blake (@bbqbaseball62) December 13, 2023
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Watch This Story: The Japanese Ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s Head-Turning Deal of $200 Million Was Confirmed By Insider, Keeping Giant Teams On Hotlists
He’s going to the highest bidder. If Cohen wants to actually deliver on his promise of money not being an issue, he will sign him. If he doesn’t, then we know all he cares about is the business bottom line. 4 years…1 playoff win…
— Joe Douglas is a fraud (@itsjeremyHA) December 13, 2023
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From the reactions, one can easily understand that fans do not think the New York-based side would ever be an underdog. Despite the New York Mets never having been frontrunners like Yankees, they surprisingly have a chance against all odds.