4 winners and 3 losers of the first month of the 2024 Mets season

New York Mets early season winner: Jose Butto

Jose Butto showed why deserved a spot on the Mets Opening Day roster. He had a terrific spring but started his season in Triple-A before getting called up a couple of weeks ago. In four starts this season, he has a 2.86 ERA, 25 strikeouts, and 12 walks in 22.0 innings pitched, and has had to pitch under pressure often because of little run support.

Still, Butto proved that teams with quality depth in their starting rotation are most likely to succeed and gave the Mets reason to keep him in the rotation. The Mets strategy to aggressively add depth to the rotation worked, as it lit a fire into Butto.

New York Mets early season loser: Adrian Houser

It's a shame that Adrian Houser has produced lousy results, because many thought Houser was the underrated trade acquisition of the offseason. Houser was ineffective in three of his five starts in April. He is 0-3 with an 8.37 ERA, opponents have hit .302 against him, and he has given up more walks (16) than strikeouts (14).

It is appearing more likely, especially with Jose Butto being effective, that Houser will be either moved to the bullpen (where he can show his versatility as a long reliever) or be designated for assignment when Tylor Megill (who looked really good in his first rehab start in High-A on Saturday) returns from the injured list.