The New York baseball teams spent more than $600 million, combined, on their payrolls this season. They ranked first (Mets) and second (Yankees) in the majors in spending, yet arrived at the trading deadline on Tuesday with more collective losses than wins.
Take a moment to absorb that, or maybe to appreciate it. Spending so much for so little is spectacularly hard to do, especially because it came without warning: a year ago at this time, both teams held first place in their divisions. Now a two-line summer breakdown has derailed all dreams of a Subway Series this fall.