Mets Ink Frankie Montas to Two-Year Deal, Bolstering Rotation
The New York Mets have made a strategic move to shore up their pitching staff, signing free agent Frankie Montas to a two-year contract worth $34 million. The deal, which will see Montas earn an average annual salary of $17 million, brings the Dominican right-hander to Queens after a series of trades and a challenging 2023 season.
Montas, 31, becomes a free agent after declining a mutual option with the Milwaukee Brewers. The decision, made by both Montas and his agent, raised eyebrows as he had not posted his typical strong numbers in 2024 with the Cincinnati Reds and subsequently the Brewers, who acquired him at the trade deadline.
Despite the struggles, Montas’s potential remains apparent. The former Oakland Athletics ace, once a standout starter, famously battled back from shoulder surgery in 2023 to make one start. His resilience allowed him to accumulate 150 innings pitched and almost 150 strikeouts across the Reds and Brewers. This capacity to bounce back and still produce solid numbers suggests that Montas could deliver stronger performances for the Mets.
"The fact that he reached 150 innings with almost 150 strikeouts after missing an entire season, it is clear that he can give the Mets better years," an observed baseball analyst noted.
Montas brings a veteran presence to the Mets, having played for Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, and Milwaukee Brewers over his ten-year Major League career. His career ERA sits at 4.09, accompanied by 760 strikeouts across 744 innings pitched and a record of 44 wins and 46 losses.
The signing of Montas could potentially impact other free agency pursuits for the Mets. With Montas now part of the rotation, the team may scale back their engagement in bidding wars for other pitchers, potentially including fellow Dominican Luis Severino.
Severino, who declined a qualifying offer from the Yankees to explore multi-year deals, seemed like a target for the Mets. However, Montas’s arrival might signal a shift in strategy, softening any potential move for Severino.
2024-12-02 04:16:00
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