Mets on Brink After Collapse; Prospects May Be Traded

The New York Mets’ season is on the brink after a 6-2 loss to the low‑budget Miami Marlins left New York 82-78 and having ceded control of the final NL wild‑card spot, with Cincinnati holding the tiebreaker and the Mets needing help in their final two games to advance. The defeat — punctuated by a six‑run fifth, defensive lapses and mounting pitching problems — continued a rotation collapse since mid‑June that included demotions and injuries to Kodai Senga, Griffin Canning and Tylor Megill. Miami, which operates with one of baseball’s smallest payrolls and improved by 16 wins this season, had already been eliminated but relished the chance to spoil the Mets’ hopes. Fans loudly expressed frustration, and manager Carlos Mendoza and owner Steve Cohen acknowledged the roster has underperformed. With that collapse looming large, New York is expected to pursue proven veterans this offseason and may use top prospects such as Jett Williams as trade chips. The Mets still possess a deep farm system — highlighted by pitcher Jonah Tong (minors leader in ERA, strikeouts and opponent average and the Eastern League Pitcher of the Year) and other prospects including A.J. Ewing, Carson Benge and Jacob Reimer — giving the club options to rebuild or bolster the roster.