The New York Mets endured a disappointing campaign this season, failing to even qualify for the postseason. Meanwhile, their division rivals, the Philadelphia Phillies, stormed to the top of the National League East, capturing the title in dominant fashion. The Phillies didn’t just win their division—they finished with the second-best record in the entire National League, further solidifying their status as one of the top contenders.
Philadelphia’s reward for their impressive season is a clash with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series. It’s a high-stakes matchup, and one that brings added intrigue given the history between the Phillies and Mets. Just a year ago, the Mets had eliminated the Phillies from the postseason, and New York looked poised to be a force again in 2025 after advancing all the way to the NLCS.
But this season told a very different story. Nick Castellanos, one of the Phillies’ veteran leaders, weighed in on the Mets’ stunning downturn. Speaking on Foul Territory, Castellanos didn’t hold back when asked about New York’s inability to build on last year’s success—especially after their blockbuster acquisition of superstar outfielder Juan Soto.
“You’re always a little bit surprised when a team goes out and spends $760 million on one player and doesn’t make the playoffs,” Castellanos remarked. “Am I shocked? Not really, because baseball is such a hard game. I’m not talking trash, but usually when you make a move like that, you expect the team to improve compared to the year before.”
Soto’s arrival in Queens was the defining headline of last offseason. Widely considered one of the most talented hitters in baseball, he was viewed as the missing piece for a franchise that had come up just short of the World Series the year prior. To his credit, Soto delivered on the field. He posted a career-high in both home runs and stolen bases, once again led the league in walks, and gave the Mets’ lineup a consistent superstar presence. Yet despite his brilliance, the team as a whole failed to come together, leaving them on the outside looking in when October arrived.
The contrast between the two franchises is stark. The Phillies have now claimed back-to-back division titles, continuing to prove they’re built to win in the toughest moments. The Mets, on the other hand, haven’t captured the NL East crown since 2015, and their latest collapse is magnified by the weight of Soto’s historic 15-year contract. While the Mets will certainly have more chances to build around him in the future, this season stands as a bitter disappointment given the sheer level of talent and financial investment at their disposal.
