These 5 Mets players actually benefited during a playoff-less 2023 season

NEW YORK — The season's plan shifted dramatically for the Mets after they took a 7-19 nose dive in the month of June. They could never quite recover from that June swoon.

The Mets front office ultimately went into full sell mode at the trade deadline. That deviation hampered the team's original goal of competing for a World Series after entering the season with a record $366 million payroll.

Instead, that unexpected change in course opened the door for a number of players who may have not been in the equation when the season began. For others, it helped their opportunities to play on a daily basis.

The Mets were eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to the Phillies on Sept. 21, but they had already begun to get a look at some of the players who could help them beyond 2023.

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Here are some of the players that made a strong impression down the stretch this season:

Jose Butto

Carlos Carrasco's disappointing season-long performance, followed by a finger injury, helped Butto see his first extended action at the major league level down the stretch.

Four of the 25-year-old right-hander's seven total major-league starts have come in the month of September, and they have been some of his most efficient outings of the season.

When Butto returned to the major-league squad on Sept. 6, he threw a career-high 6⅓ innings with six strikeouts and two earned runs allowed on six hits and one walk against the Nationals. He picked up his first career win next time out, holding the Diamondbacks to one earned run over five innings while picking up seven strikeouts on Sept. 12.

Butto added another quality start against the Marlins before struggling in his last start, allowing four earned runs in four innings against the Phillies. Buck Showalter has been impressed with Butto's resilience as situations tighten. He's in line to start the Mets' final game of the season on Sunday, bringing a 3.75 ERA and 1.36 WHIP over eight appearances.

Joey Lucchesi

After spending a full season working back from Tommy John surgery in 2022, Lucchesi was one of the Mets' options for the team's No. 5 starter spot during spring training following an injury to Jose Quintana. Another opening came with Justin Verlander's shoulder injury.

Lucchesi ended up being the odd man out behind David Peterson and Tylor Megill.

Lucchesi worked his way into the rotation following a suspension to Max Scherzer but sputtered after making the team's first seven-inning start on April 21. He was sent back down following a rain-shortened start on May 13.

The left-hander struggled in Triple-A, citing the restrictions of the automatic ball-strike system, but has been strong over his final four starts with the Mets this season. In nine starts with the Mets, Lucchesi closed with a 4-0 record and 2.89 ERA following a six-inning quality start against the Marlins on Wednesday.

Down the stretch, Lucchesi combined to allow no earned runs over 12⅔ innings in wins over the Cardinals and Diamondbacks before conceding two earned runs on six hits and two walks with five strikeouts in a no-decision against the Marlins.

Ronny Mauricio

Throughout the 2023 season, Mets fans were clamoring for the arrival of the 22-year-old infielder, who had just entered his first season at the Triple-A Syracuse. The Mets front office waited patiently for Mauricio to hone his defensive skills as he worked at second base and in the outfield for the first time.

The electric bat was never questioned and it has shown up since Mauricio made his major league debut after rosters expanded in September. He has collected a home run from both sides of the plate, while adding three doubles, nine RBI, seven runs and six stolen bases in 22 games.

And he hits the ball hard, with 13 balls hit over 105 mph in 22 games.

Mauricio has looked capable defensively across 17 games at second base. His lone error came on an in-between hop while manning third base. The big question is where Mauricio's home will be on the field for the Mets moving forward.

DJ Stewart

An up-and-down six-year major-league journey led Stewart to sign a minor-league deal with the Mets this offseason. He forced the issue with his power bat in Triple-A Syracuse where he homered 16 times and drove in 41 runs in 51 games before joining the Mets on July 4.

Stewart began to catch fire once he saw regular playing time after the trades of Mark Canha and Tommy Pham. Since Aug. 1, Stewart is slashing .274/.357/.573 with 10 home runs, 24 RBI and 19 runs entering Wednesday night.

The 29-year-old claimed he gained confidence by playing under manager Buck Showalter, who he teamed up with during his time with the Orioles, and earned the trust of his teammates.

He loves playing in New York, it's unclear whether his play down the stretch can lead to another season in New York or whether he played his way onto another major league roster.

Mark Vientos

The logjam at third base was to the detriment of Vientos early in the season, but a June trade of Eduardo Escobar and struggles by Brett Baty opened up an opportunity for the 23-year-old rookie.

In his first 18 games with irregular playing time between May and June, Vientos was 8-for-45 with one home run, eight RBI and five runs. Since rejoining the team in July, Vientos has eight home runs, 17 RBI and 17 runs in 45 games.

Six of those home runs have come in the month of September after he added another two-run shot on Wednesday night. Vientos has emphasized how much confidence and rhythm he's gained by playing on a regular basis.

He might get the chance for more frequents appearances in the lineup next season following his play down the stretch.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Mets roster players who succeeded in rough 2023 season