
The New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, and Houston Astros are struggling at the bottom of the MLB standings. Both the Red Sox and Phillies have recently fired their managers amid these early-season challenges.
Mets, along with other teams' dollar not going as far as they hoped originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
As the first full month of the MLB season sets to conclude, the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, and Houston Astros are at the bottom of the league.
In fact, the Red Sox and the Phillies have both relieved their managers of their duties in the last few days.
More: Don Mattingly career timeline, from first manager stint with Dodgers to interim role with Phillies
For these four teams, the early-season struggles have become uncharted territory, as they are typically in the mix for a playoff berth. Yet, they oddly share something in common aside from underwhelming play.
That would be the massive payroll each team spent to build the rosters.
The Mets and Phillies, ironically, are tied for the worst record in the league while having the second-and fourth-largest payrolls.
Boston and Houston follow right behind them, each responsible for the sixth- and 11th-largest payrolls.
No question, all four ball clubs have the talent to turn things around; the Red Sox are on a three-game winning streak, but the woes of these teams send a message that pay-to-play is not always necessary.
It also indirectly proves the point that not every team can implement the same formula that the Los Angeles Dodgers have used to build a stacked roster.
The Mets, Phillies, Red Sox, and Astros are facing early-season struggles, which is unusual for teams typically vying for playoff spots.
The Red Sox and Phillies relieved their managers of their duties due to disappointing performances as the season progressed.
The New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, and Houston Astros are currently at the bottom of the league.

Catch LSU baseball vs Southeastern Louisiana today! Find out the time and channel.
Get your tickets for the 2026 Patriots vs. Bills game at Gillette Stadium!
Dabo Swinney of Clemson was college football's biggest underachiever in 2025 despite nine NFL draft picks.
Detroit Lions WR Jameson Williams files lawsuit against NCAA, Big Ten, SEC for using his likeness.
Latest on Morgan Gibbs-White's potential move to Manchester United!
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
The Dodgers are without a doubt the team to beat, as they are the reigning back-to-back champions for a reason.
Still, it has happened too many times in other sports, where teams have unintentionally destroyed their own teams by attempting to copy what another team has done in the past.
Spending is still necessary to some degree for success, but it also puts the team at significant risk when the plan doesn't pan out as designed.