When discussing pitching, Hall of Fame legend Bob Feller once said, “Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday’s success or put its failures behind and start over again.”

In the wake of the news that Buck Showalter won’t be returning as the Mets’ manager in 2024, the 2023 New York Mets played their final baseball game of the calendar year. Despite the game not unfolding as desired, there was a bright spot on the pitching front. José Butto took the mound for the Mets, holding a 1-4 record, and seemingly put Feller’s words into action. In Sunday’s matchup against the Phillies, Butto allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four over six innings, ultimately taking the loss.

José Butto. Photo by Roberto Carlo

Butto managed to secure his third quality start of the season, but once again, his offensive support fell short, resulting in a 9-1 loss. Across his nine appearances, seven of which were starts, the right-hander allowed two runs or fewer in all but two outings, yet he only secured a single win. His 2023 season closes with a 3.64 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and 8.14 K/9 over 42 innings in the major leagues.

In his prior stints, Butto’s performances lacked consistency and were somewhat shaky. However, since he began playing regularly, there has been genuine discussion about him potentially earning a spot in the back-end rotation for 2024. Currently, the rotation is wide open for competition, with only Kodai Senga and José Quintana guaranteed spots for the 2024 season.

If the Mets keep the rotation as is, Butto’s competition for the upcoming season includes Tylor Megill, David Peterson, and Joey Lucchesi, all of whom have also had opportunities to establish themselves. His improving command of breaking pitches and the increasing effectiveness of his fastball make him a strong contender for a starting role in the upcoming season.

An additional factor in his favor is that he has two minor league options, which the Mets highly value, recognizing the ongoing need for pitching depth. If Butto maintains his recent form and performs well in spring training, he could very well start the season in Flushing.

Depending on the moves made by the new front office in terms of bolstering the rotation and bullpen, Butto’s impressive outings could also serve as an audition for a critical long relief and fireman role, a position once held by Trevor Williams. Since Williams’ departure, the Mets have struggled to find a reliable option for this role, which has clearly had a detrimental impact on the team, leaving them without a fireman in the bullpen. Butto seems well-suited for this role, given that he’s been able to pitch over five innings in five out of his nine appearances this season.

Taking up the role left vacant by Carlos Carrasco, José Butto appears to have maximized the opportunities presented to him since his recent return to the majors. The Mets’ decision-makers now must determine whether Butto deserves a shot at competing for a spot in the rotation or bullpen in the upcoming season. Regardless of the outcome, he has compellingly argued for a place on the team in some capacity for next season. In a league where young and controllable pitching is highly sought after, Butto’s emergence is a welcome tune for the Mets.