Moribund New York Mets raise white flag on season with Robertson trade

• Most expensive team ever positions self as sellers at deadline
• Robinson traded to Marlins for two teenage minor leaguers

The New York Mets began the process of dismantling the team with the largest payroll of all-time late Thursday night, trading closer David Robertson to the Miami Marlins for two teenage minor leaguers.

The Mets, who began the season with a $353m payroll, beat the Washington Nationals 2-1 to improve to 48-54. They are seven games behind the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds, who are in a virtual tie for the last two NL wild-card spots.