The Mets cut their Gulf Coast League team yesterday. Toby Hyde has more.

It’s certainly not a good thing, and I suspect it won’t be the last we hear of the team making cost-cutting moves that appear to harm its long- and short-term futures. The club is, we know, financially insolvent, reportedly losing $70 million in 2011 alone. So depressing though it may be, it should come as no surprise that the Mets are looking for ways to save money.

For what it’s worth, though, the Mets were one of only three franchises that fielded nine Minor League affiliates in 2011. With eight, they will still have more than 16 Major League clubs.

Still, it’s hardly a good PR move for a club busy selling that the best way to field a perennial contender is to build from within. I’m not sure of the ways fielding one fewer rookie-ball team actually impacts their ability to do so, but I’m certain it doesn’t help it look like they’re trying.