Baseball giants hit by injuries: Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, and New York Yankees face setbacks
The 2022 MLB trade deadline was a period of intense pressure for several teams, with the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers among those facing significant challenges.
Before the deadline, the New York Mets were grappling with extensive pitching injuries and roster instability. Key pitchers like Max Kranick, Tylor Megill, Paul Blackburn, and Brooks Raley were sidelined due to various injuries, leading to a crisis in the Mets' rotation. The team's offensive players also suffered, with Jose Siri and others facing injuries. These setbacks forced the Mets to make numerous adjustments and consider trades or roster moves to stabilise their team [1][2][4].
The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees also faced challenges, although specific injury or roster issue details before the 2022 trade deadline were not found in the search results provided. Common factors contributing to injuries and roster issues in MLB include physical strain, pitching workloads, mid-season fatigue, and sometimes unforeseen accidents or medical conditions.
In terms of financial commitments, the Mets were slated to pay $73 million in luxury tax, while the Dodgers faced a record-breaking $151 million bill, more than the payrolls of seven teams [3]. The New York Yankees, with a budget of $294 million, were five and a half games behind the American League leaders, the Toronto Blue Jays [5].
Steve Cohen, the Mets owner, stated his intent to spend if necessary, aiming to win on the field [6]. In line with this, the Mets signed Juan Soto from the Yankees with a record $765 million, 15-year contract in the offseason [7].
Meanwhile, the Dodgers added prized pitcher Roki Sasaki, lefty Blake Snell, reliever Tanner Scott, outfielder Michael Conforto, and second baseman Hyeseong Kim in the offseason [8].
As the season progressed, the Mets held a one-and-a-half game lead in the NL East, while the Yankees were without Aaron Judge due to a flexor injury [9]. The Dodgers, with a budget of $200,000 less than the Mets, were four games ahead in the NL West [10].
The Mets are considering acquiring a centre fielder and an upgrade at third base, while the Yankees increased their payroll and luxury tax by $11.56 million with the addition of infielders Ryan McMahon and Amed Rosario [11].
The financial disparity in MLB has become a growing concern, with baseball commissioner Rob Manfred stating that it has become a bigger problem for the league [12]. Interestingly, last year, the top three spenders and Cleveland, which finished 25th, made it to the league championship series [13].
In the decade prior, Atlanta, Houston, and Kansas City were the only teams outside the top 10 spenders to win titles [14]. This suggests that while financial might can provide an advantage, it is not the only factor determining success in MLB.
References: [1] Mets' Max Kranick requires season-ending surgery [2] Injuries pile up for Mets, who are in crisis mode [3] Mets face luxury tax bill of $73 million [4] Mets' Jose Siri fractures left tibia, out for season [5] New York Yankees, with a budget of $294 million, are five and a half games behind the American League leaders [6] Cohen: I have the ability to spend if necessary and want to win on the field [7] Mets sign Juan Soto to record $765 million, 15-year contract [8] Dodgers add prized pitcher Roki Sasaki, lefty Blake Snell, reliever Tanner Scott, outfielder Michael Conforto, and second baseman Hyeseong Kim in the offseason [9] New York Mets, New York Yankees standings [10] Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets standings [11] Yankees increase payroll and luxury tax by $11.56 million with addition of infielders Ryan McMahon and Amed Rosario [12] Rob Manfred: Disparity in payrolls has become a bigger problem for MLB [13] Last year, the top three spenders and Cleveland, which finished 25th, made it to the league championship series [14] Atlanta, Houston, and Kansas City are the only teams outside the top 10 spenders to win titles in the last decade
In light of the Mets' extensive pitching injuries and roster instability, they sought reinforcements before the 2022 MLB trade deadline, considering a potential acquisition of a center fielder and an upgrade at third base.
Before the deadline, the Dodgers and Yankees also faced challenges, though specific injury or roster issue details were not found in the search results provided.
