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NY Mets: 1 trade, 1 signing, 1 prospect for Justin Verlander insurance

By Mark Powell

JUPITER, FL - MARCH 04: Justin Verlander #35 of the New York Mets stands on the mound during the fist inning against the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium on March 4, 2023 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Jasen Vinlove/Miami Marlins/Getty Images)
JUPITER, FL - MARCH 04: Justin Verlander #35 of the New York Mets stands on the mound during the fist inning against the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium on March 4, 2023 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Jasen Vinlove/Miami Marlins/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 21: Jose Butto #70 of the New York Mets in action against the Philadelphia Phillies during a game at Citizens Bank Park on August 21, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Mets defeated the Phillies 10-9. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 21: Jose Butto #70 of the New York Mets in action against the Philadelphia Phillies during a game at Citizens Bank Park on August 21, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Mets defeated the Phillies 10-9. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Justin Verlander replacements: Mets call up Jose Butto

If the Mets choose to replace Justin Verlander in-house, it will not come easily. For this to occur, Verlander would first have to be placed on the injured list. From there, New York would have to choose from a litany of minor-league starters, many of which haven’t tasted anything close to big-league action yet in their young careers.

The Mets farm system is a good one, but it’s laden with position-player talent, not pitchers. None of the top-six prospects are pitchers, per MLB Pipeline, and few in the top-20 are close enough to the majors to call upon this early in the season.

New York’s top pitching prospect is Blake Tidwell, but he’s 21 years old, and starting the season in Single-A for a reason. Dominic Hamel, Calvin Ziegler, Mike Vasil and Joel Diaz haven’t pitched beyond Single-A in their young careers thus far, either. Some will begin the season in Double-A, but that makes for a steep jump to face big-league hitters.

So that leaves Jose Butto. At 25 years old, Butto is hardly considered a prospect at this juncture, but he’s in Triple-A and has some MLB experience, though it wasn’t good experience. Butto made one start with the Mets last season, lasting just four innings and giving up two home runs. At all other levels, Butto has played well, so he has some talent in him.

Perhaps it’s time to give Butto another chance at the big-league level, even if only in a short stint while Verlander heals up.

Next. 3 Mets Opening Day starters who won’t be on the roster next season. dark

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