Mets Secure Frankie Montas with Ambitious Two-Year Deal
In a bold move underscoring their ambition to reclaim top honors in the league, the New York Mets have signed right-hander Frankie Montas to a two-year contract valued at $34 million. This signing reflects the team's aggressive strategy under the leadership of David Stearns, their head baseball operations executive, as they look to strengthen their pitching rotation amidst potential challenges in free agency.
At 31 years old, Frankie Montas brings both experience and intriguing potential to the Mets. Last season, he showcased his resilience, playing for two different teams: the Cincinnati Reds and the Milwaukee Brewers. Over 30 starts, Montas posted a 4.84 ERA and maintained a 2.24 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Despite these lukewarm figures, the Mets are betting on Montas’ capacity for improvement, with the belief that "the ingredients are here for better numbers."
Montas' journey has not been without its ups and downs. After an unremarkable stint with the New York Yankees in 2022, where he made only eight starts before missing almost all of 2023, his position on the Mets illustrates the team's faith in his latent talents. It was during his time with the Brewers that Montas notably refined his pitching strategy, placing greater emphasis on his sinker and cutter, while scaling back the usage of his slider and splitter.
These adjustments have not gone unnoticed. Public-facing pitch-quality models still rate Montas' slider, splitter, and sweeper as above average, an indication of his potential to leverage these pitches in future performances. His robust pitching arsenal, featuring two mid-90s fastballs, a cutter, a splitter, and a slider, provides him with the tools necessary to reinvent himself on the mound. The Mets clearly see this signing as more than just filling a roster spot; rather, it represents a strategic gamble on Montas' upside.
Despite a career that has yet to fully blossom into elite status, Montas has shown flashes of brilliance. He has been in the Cy Young Award voting, with his best performance ranking him as high as sixth in previous seasons. This capability, coupled with his versatility, demonstrated by making 10-plus starts in six separate seasons, presents a compelling case for his potential value to the Mets.
This acquisition comes at a time when the Mets are bracing for the possibility of losing key pitcher Jose Quintana to free agency. The addition of Montas, alongside pitchers like Sean Manaea and Luis Severino, who were brought on with short-term contracts last winter, is part of the Mets' broader strategy to cultivate a deep and adaptable pitching rotation. It's a proactive approach aimed at minimizing vulnerabilities and maximizing performance variability across a long season.
The Mets' decision to invest in Montas can be seen as a calculated maneuver designed to infuse their roster with a mix of proven talent and latent potential. This aligns with their broader mission to not merely survive the grind of a major league season, but to thrive, maintaining competitiveness at the highest levels.
The current trajectory of Montas' career, marked by strategic pivots and persistent evolution, reflects a player on the verge of a significant breakthrough. If the Mets' gamble pays off, Montas could become a pivotal player in NYC, adding valuable depth to a team keen on making serious postseason runs.
Ultimately, the Mets' faith in Montas signifies more than just a new addition to their roster. It's a statement of their intent to continue building a formidable team poised for success. As Montas steps onto the mound in a Mets uniform, both he and the franchise hope this fresh chapter leads to fulfilling the potential that many have long anticipated.