The New York Mets entered 2025 with championship aspirations and a superstar-laden lineup, but their 69-61 record tells a different story—one of unfulfilled potential and crushing inconsistency. Despite boasting two of baseball’s elite talents in Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor, the Mets find themselves battling for a Wild Card spot rather than division supremacy, leaving fans and analysts questioning whether this expensive roster can deliver when it matters most.

Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor, the franchise cornerstones who were supposed to deliver championship glory, now find themselves at the center of a brewing storm. Despite their impressive individual numbers—Soto’s 32 homers and 21 steals, Lindor’s solid .265 average of 25 long balls—whispers of disappointment echo through Queens.

Heyman didn’t mince words during his appearance on YouTube’s New York Post Sports, particularly targeting the team’s inability to perform in crucial situations. “This offense should be better. The names are good. Obviously, Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto didn’t win MVPs last year, but they weren’t that far off,” Heyman stated. He acknowledged their talent but highlighted their inconsistency: “They have been good this year, but a little more up and down, a little more inconsistent.” The veteran reporter was especially critical of Soto’s clutch hitting, noting, “Juan Soto historically has been very, very good in big situations… that has really not come to fruition this year. It’s hard to make an excuse for a guy making $765 million.”

The criticism stings particularly because Pete Alonso boldly predicted in spring training that the Mets would field “the best offense” in baseball. Instead, they’ve managed only a “borderline top 10” ranking, with timely hitting becoming their Achilles heel. Manager Carlos Mendoza has publicly supported his stars, but privately, the organization knows their 48.5% playoff chances depend entirely on these marquee players stepping up when it matters most.

Adding to the mounting pressure, the Mets now face roster complications that could derail their playoff aspirations. The team’s problems extend far beyond offensive struggles.

Mets Roster Shakeup Adds Championship Pressure

While offensive struggles dominate headlines, the New York Mets face additional challenges managing their roster depth. The team’s championship window feels increasingly narrow as they juggle both performance issues and personnel decisions that could determine their postseason fate.

The organization placed Reed Garrett on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation, retroactive to August 23rd. Garrett’s recent struggles mirror the team’s broader inconsistencies—his 3.61 ERA tells one story, but his devastating 10.80 ERA over seven recent outings reveals the painful truth. His absence removes a crucial setup option for closer Edwin Diaz during the season’s most critical stretch.

Jose Castillo earned a call-up from Triple-A Syracuse to fill Garrett’s bullpen role. The 29-year-old lefty brings a promising 2.19 ERA across 14 appearances this season, though his limited track record adds uncertainty to an already fragile relief corps. Castillo, acquired from Arizona in May, has bounced between levels all season.

The Mets also transferred Frankie Montas to the 60-day injured list, finalizing his season-ending UCL injury status. These roster shuffles underscore the mounting pressure—every move now carries playoff implications as the team desperately tries to salvage what many believed would be their championship breakthrough season.