The Mets drew a Citi Field record crowd (3,182,057) but saluted a season of high hopes fading into a tense wild-card chase, capped by a late stumble through a 3-game set with Washington. Juan Soto finally clicked in Queens, delivering MVP-like bursts that kept playoff dreams alive, even as defensive blemishes and uneven stretches clouded the campaign. Marte’s mentorship and Soto’s relentless plate discipline provided bright spots as the club plots a potential October return against contenders like the Dodgers.

As Soto produced a 34-homer, 36-steal 40/30-style season after a rocky start, the Mets hope a strong finish can salvage a tarnished arc. The year showcased a roller-coaster narrative: a payroll behemoth learning to live up to its promise, and a clubhouse kept buoyant by Soto’s professionalism and Marte’s guidance, leaving the door open for a dramatic late push and a possible postseason rematch with Los Angeles.