ESPN Announcer Mocks Mets' Billion-Dollar Outfield After Costly Error
Kevin Brown's commentary highlighted the significant investment in the outfielders who failed to make a play.
ESPN announcer Kevin Brown drew attention to the New York Mets' costly outfield miscue during their 7-1 loss to the Baltimore Orioles, a game that completed a three-game sweep. In the second inning, with the Mets already trailing, a routine fly ball dropped between outfielders Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor, and Bo Bichette for a leadoff double.
"Lindor, Bichette and Soto, about a billion-dollars worth of Mets out in left field and none of ’em could pick it up," Brown remarked as the home crowd booed. According to Baseball Savant, the hit had an expected batting average of just .010. It preceded a two-run home run that extended the Orioles' lead to 3-0.
The trio of players involved in the play represent a significant financial commitment for the Mets. Juan Soto's contract is valued at up to $805 million over 15 years, Francisco Lindor's deal is worth $341 million over 10 years, and Bo Bichette is in the third year of a 10-year, $126 million agreement.
The play unfolded when Christian Encarnacion-Strand hit a fly ball to left field. Soto, Bichette, and Lindor converged on the ball, with Soto running forward, Bichette tracking with his shoulder turned, and Lindor moving diagonally. Soto appeared to slow his advance and look towards Bichette before the ball landed in front of him. He then recovered to throw to second base, but the runner had already reached safely.
Analyst Eduardo Perez suggested that the play was initially Lindor's responsibility, noting that Bichette, the third baseman, would typically expect Lindor to make the call. Perez added that only Soto, as the left fielder, could have overridden the others, but he did not call for the ball.
The Orioles went on to score five more runs in the second inning, contributing to the Mets' fourth consecutive loss and their fifth loss in their last six games. Mets manager Andy Green described the play as a "triangle play" where players deferred to each other, resulting in no one taking definitive possession of the ball.