A new perfect metaphor for the New York Mets’ season has dropped, and it comes in the form of an easy pop foul that dropped to the turf at Citi Field on Wednesday night.
During the top of the second inning, Christian Encarnacion-Strand lofted a lazy fly ball to left field against Mets starter Xzavion Curry. Third baseman Bo Bichette, shortstop Francisco Lindor and left fielder Juan Soto all converged on where the ball was headed — and then disaster struck.
Bichette, who was ranging backwards while tracking the ball, ducked out of the way while Lindor and Soto stopped in their tracks. The ball fell to the ground, bouncing high in the air before Soto corralled it amidst boos from the home fans.
ESPN announcer Kevin Brown was on the call and didn’t mince words, calling out the trio of high-priced Mets over the amateurish error.
“The ball will drop,” Brown said in shock. “Lindor, Bichette and Soto, about a billion-dollars worth of Mets out in left field and none of ’em could pick it up.”
Brown’s quick math actually short-changed the value of Mets players in the vicinity of the embarrassing incident. With Bichette making a total of $126 million US over three years, Lindor earning $341 million over 10 years and Soto raking in a mind-blowing $765 million over his 15-year deal, the total amount for the trio comes to $1.23 billion. On a yearly basis, the three earn $127 million.
Who is to blame for the dropped ball?
As fans began to boo loudly, the broadcast’s colour commentator tried to explain what might’ve happened — giving a bit of absolution to Bichette in the process.
He said that while Bichette might’ve been closest to the ball, it was actually Lindor who should’ve made the play. Soto also had the option to call off both infielders if he felt he had a better beat on the fly ball.
The analytics painted an even more dire picture of the situation, with Baseball Savant giving the fly ball an expected batting average of .010 — meaning that there was roughly a 1% chance that it would end up a hit.
Things didn’t get any better for the Mets, either. Two batters later, Curry gave up a two-run homer to give Baltimore a 3-0 lead. The Orioles would go on to win the game 7-1 while the trio of Bichette, Soto and Lindor went a combined 2-for-12 at the plate.
How has Bichette played this season?
In the 2026 MLB season, Bichette’s first away from the Blue Jays, has not gone well at all.
His .263 batting average is the second-lowest in Bichette’s career – his worst was during an injury-plagued 2024 campaign. He’s also on track to record career lows in hits, doubles and home runs in seasons during which he played more than 81 games.
He also has an opt-out after each year of his contract, bringing into question whether the 2026 season with the Mets will be a one-off.