Buying or Selling Mets' Biggest Breakout Players in 2024 Season

The New York Mets went 15-14 during the first month of the season, and it looks like they might have a tough time keeping up with the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East once again this season.

However, they are also dealing with some key injuries, and that has opened the door for some unexpected contributions from starter José Buttó and reliever Reed Garrett, while outfielder Tyrone Taylor has also made a compelling case for an expanded role.

But are those strong starts for real?

Ahead, we have given our take on whether to buy or sell those early performances based on track records and advanced metrics.

RHP José Buttó

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 14: Jose Butto #70 of the New York Mets pitches against the Kansas City Royals during the second inning at Citi Field on April 14, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)

With Kodai Senga suffering an injury during spring training and Tylor Megill sidelined after his 2024 debut, the Mets were forced to dig into their starting pitching depth early in the season and that opened the door for José Buttó to make an impact.

The 26-year-old saw sporadic MLB action in 2022 and 2023, posting a 4.70 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in 46 innings, but he is off to a much better start this year.

In four starts, he has a 2.86 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 25 strikeouts in 22 innings, though walks remain a concern as he has issued 12 free passes and has a 4.9 BB/9 walk rate for his career.

His 4.12 FIP is a better indication of what to expect going forward, especially if he continues to walk batters at his current rate, but that could still make him a useful back-of-the-rotation option.

Buy or Sell: Sell

RHP Reed Garrett

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 20: Reed Garrett #75 of the New York Mets reacts after striking out Gavin Lux #9 of the Los Angeles Dodgers for the last out in a 6-4 win over the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on April 20, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)

The New York Mets claimed Reed Garrett off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles last June, and he entered the 2024 season with a 7.11 ERA in 31 appearances over parts of three seasons in the big leagues.

That lackluster track record makes the 31-year-old one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 season.

Over nine appearances, he has a 0.57 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 28 strikeouts in 15.2 innings, racking up five wins, one save and one hold along the way.

Leaning more heavily on his slider and less on his fastball, Garrett has been one of baseball's most effective relievers, both from a results standpoint and in terms of his underlying metrics as his Baseball Savant is impressive to look at.

Buy or Sell: Buy

OF Tyrone Taylor

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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 11: Tyrone Taylor #15 of the New York Mets reacts as he rounds third base after hitting a grand slam in the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on April 11, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Mets acquired outfielder Tyrone Taylor along with starter Adrian Houser from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for pitching prospect Coleman Crow in a salary dump move of sorts during the offseason.

Taylor had a 102 OPS+ while averaging 20 home runs and 67 RBI per 162 games during his time with the Brewers, but he never stayed healthy or consistent long enough to stake his claim to an everyday spot in the outfield.

On the Mets, he seemed to plug in as the team's fourth outfielder with Brandon Nimmo, Harrison Bader and Starling Marte expected to be the starters, but he has started to see his name in the starting lineup on a regular basis.

The 30-year-old has a 107 OPS+ with three doubles, two home runs and 13 RBI in 70 plate appearances, and with his solid contact numbers and improved strikeout rate he could wind up filling a much larger role than expected much like Tommy Pham did a year ago.

Buy or Sell: Buy