Reed Garrett defied expectations in 2024, starting the season strong for the New York Mets before encountering some struggles by May. Like many middle relievers, his performance was inconsistent—dominant at times but shaky at others. Initially viewed as a questionable addition to the 40-man roster due to his journeyman status, Garrett ultimately proved his worth as a valuable asset despite the ups and downs. His retention, partly due to remaining minor league options, turned out to be a smart move for the Mets.
The Mets are undoubtedly hoping to replicate the unexpected success they experienced with Garrett, and one player who seems to fit the profile for a similar transformation is Tyler Zuber. Acquired at the trade deadline from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for minor leaguer Paul Gervase, Zuber didn’t get the opportunity to make his big-league debut with the Mets. The team likely saw him as a versatile option to shuttle between the majors and minors for the remainder of the season. However, his struggles at Triple-A led the Mets to explore other options.
Despite these setbacks, Zuber’s situation closely mirrors Garrett’s early career with the Mets. Garrett, too, was a journeyman reliever whose spot on the roster raised eyebrows before he exceeded expectations. Now, the Mets hope that, with proper development and a fresh start in 2025, Zuber can undergo a similar transformation and become a reliable bullpen piece.
A standout feature of Zuber’s repertoire is his sweeper, a pitch that aligns with the Mets’ pitching philosophy. Garrett used his sweeper to hold batters to a .171 average in 2024, and Sean Manaea also found success with the pitch, limiting hitters to a .193 average. If Zuber refines his sweeper and adds more weapons to his arsenal, he could become a valuable contributor to the Mets’ bullpen in 2025.
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