It is crazy to think about the fact that roughly a decade ago the Bernie Madoff scandal was uncovered, effectively crippling the Metsand their owners financially.
Luckily for management, the timing of that financial bombshell was well aligned with the consecutive September collapses of the late 2000s.
Despite a fresh financial wound, the team still managed to finish the 2009 season second in payroll behind only their crosstown rival Yankees.
The investment only rewarded the organization with a 70 win season, far below preseason expectations. This was the turning point, and moving forward the Mets began their payroll cutting ways.