Uncustomed Heroes of 2024: Mets

 

I went back and looked at my coverage of the Mets this year as their season progressed, and for two months I was disappointed that they seemed to have learned nothing from the previous years, and kept getting caught with their pants down once they seemed to be on a hot streak. And then in June everything clicked. Different people have attributed this to either Francisco Alvarez returning to the lineup, Carlos Mendoza calling a tense, 'come to Jesus' style meeting, or, ultimately, Grimace throwing out the first pitch. But whatever it was, it worked, because this Mets team ignited and made it as far as the NLCS. 

A season that began with such a torrid April and May, and Francisco Lindor struggling like never before, ended with Kodai Senga starting playoff games. I never could have guessed it, man. And now 2025 is gonna have Lindor AND Soto. Jeez.

While he ultimately wasn't as wholly terrific as his June was, Harrison Bader provided an endearing season after losing some goodwill last year. Mets fans really warmed up to this guy [at least before he completely shat the bed in August and September]. As the starting centerfielder, he hit .236 with 12 homers and 51 RBIs, and managed two stolen bases during the postseason.

2025 Prediction: Another one-year deal somewhere, possibly split between two teams if the trade deadline rolls their way.

Tylor Megill has constantly been put into positions to capitalize on his early success and just seems to be reluctant to do so, always getting injured or having trouble. Megill was given the 5th starter spot out of camp, and thanks to injuries he only made 16 starts. He finished the season with a 4.04 ERA, 91 Ks and 4 wins. Not bad, but we've clearly seen him do better.

2025 Prediction: I think this year is the last chance Megill has before potentially getting cut, and I think he'll, at the very least, be more consistent and healthy than previous years. 

And with Megill and Senga's inefficiency, that meant that Jose Butto got a ton of first-half starts. Butto always seemed like the 'we're out of ideas' choice for the rotation. Not to discredit Butto's stuff, but he's a perfectly fine pitcher, and the Mets hold themselves to a standard higher than his perfectly serviceable stuff. Split between the rotation and long relief, Butto did prove himself this year, with a 7-3 record, a 2.55 ERA, 79 Ks and a 1.068 WHIP. So he's proven his versatility, which is helpful considering the tumultuous nature of these Mets rotations.

2025 Prediction: Gets 15 starts down the stretch and gives the team some ideas.

In the period in between the injury vacancies and the rise of David Peterson, the Mets tried out top prospect Christian Scott. Scott, a 2021 draft pick, got 9 starts in the majors, and did alright for himself, with a 4.56 ERA. He did go 0-3, as this was mostly during the Mets' nadir period, but his stuff wasn't bad. Ultimately, as is the case with many rookies, he immediately had elbow problems, and will be missing all of 2025 with Tommy John recovery. 

2025 Prediction: N/A

At 38 years old, it's fantastic that Adam Ottavino is still a trustworthy bullpen option for anybody, and it's even better that, despite seeming like he was going to retire last year to become a Mets broadcaster, he returned to Queens to keep at it. Ottavino wasn't at his peak this year, he had a 4.34 ERA with 70 Ks in 60 appearances, but it was fantastic that he could still be a reliable bullpen piece for this team, especially considering how mediocre a lot of other Mets relievers were this year.

2025 Prediction: Now I think he retires...unless the Mets wanna give him one more go..

Many of the Mets' trade deadline gambits have already documented here, especially Jesse Winker, who was a smashing success down the stretch. But the Mets also pulled a trade for Paul Blackburn, who would have been dealt by the A's years ago had he not consistently gotten hurt around the deadline. This year, Blackburn WAS hurt around the deadline, and the Mets traded for him anyway. Blackburn made 5 starts for the Mets, had a 5.18 ERA with a 1-2 record...and then got hurt. What did you expect?

2025 Prediction: Has a slightly healthier go of things, but I'm not sure if he'll particularly energize his free agency case for 2026. Or, like...he goes all 32 and surprises everyone.

Coming Tomorrow- The Nationals used a lot of different players this year on their road to 4th, and the majority of them didn't get unfairly penalized for going to the casino.