Mets Bolster Rotation with Frankie Montas, Targeting More Big Moves
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The New York Mets are reloading for another playoff push, signing veteran right-hander Frankie Montas to a two-year, $34 million contract, sources told ESPN on Sunday night.
This marks the Mets’ first major move of what’s anticipated to be a busy offseason. Montas joins Kodai Senga and David Peterson in the starting rotation after Sean Manaea, Luis Severino, and Jose Quintana hit free agency.
"While a reunion with any of the three pitchers who anchored New York’s playoff rotation is not out of the question," sources said , "the Mets pivoted to Montas, who can opt out of the deal — which is pending a physical — after the first season.”
Montas, 31, has shown flashes of brilliance, capable of front-line starter performance. His arsenal includes a splitter, slider, and cutter that complement a fastball that sits around 96 mph. Last season, Cincinnati took a chance on Montas, offering him a one-year, $16 million deal despite a shoulder injury limiting him to just 1 ⅓ innings in 2023. The Reds later traded Montas to the Milwaukee Brewers, where he posted a 4.84 ERA over 150 ⅔ innings, striking out 148 while allowing 66 walks and 24 home runs.
The Mets will look to maximize Montas’ potential, aiming for a repeat of their surprising run to the National League Championship Series. In what was supposed to be a rebuilding year, the New York squad defied expectations:
They stormed into the playoffs with a late-season surge, ousted the Milwaukee Brewers in the wild-card round, thumped the Philadelphia Phillies in the divisional series, and pushed the eventual World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers to six games in the NLCS. Despite losing Senga for most of the season, the Mets’ pitching staff persevered, finishing with a 3.91 starters ERA. Manaea, Severino, and Quintana all exceeded expectations on their practical short-term deals, strongly reminiscent of Montas’ new contract.
With the exits of Manaea, Severino, Quintana, plus the waning financial obligations from Justin Verlander’s and Max Scherzer’s contracts, the Mets have trimmed roughly $150 million from last year’s payroll.
They remain a potent player in the free agent market, with superstar outfielder Juan Soto, who shares agent Scott Boras with Montas, at the top of their list. "New York has engaged in discussions about a vast array of free agents beyond Soto, though signing him to a record deal would not preclude the Mets from pursuing other big names,” sources revealed.
The team appears dedicated to maintaining its competitive edge, ready for another deep playoff run.
## Mets Set Sights on World Series with montas Signing: Expert Weighs In
**WorldTodayNews.com Exclusive interview with Baseball Analyst, sam Rosen**
**New York, NY:** The New York Mets wasted no time making a splash in the free agency market, signing seasoned right-hander Frankie Montas to a two-year, $34 million contract. This move signals the Mets’ ambition to build upon their 2023 playoff run and solidify their position as World Series contenders. To dissect this strategic signing and explore the Mets’ future plans, we spoke with renowned baseball analyst Sam Rosen.
**World today News:** Sam, the Mets have made their first big move of the offseason, acquiring Frankie Montas. What do you make of this signing?
**Sam Rosen:** This is a smart, calculated move by the Mets.Montas, when healthy, is a top-tier starting pitcher. He’s got a power fastball, a nasty splitter, and a solid track record of success. While he dealt with injuries last season, a change of scenery and a healthy offseason could see Montas return to his All-Star caliber.
**World Today News:** The Mets are clearly aiming for another deep playoff run. How does Montas fit into their starting rotation picture?
**Sam Rosen:** montas slots in perfectly alongside Kodai Senga and David Peterson as a reliable workhorse starter. The Mets lost some depth in their rotation with manaea, Severino, and Quintana hitting free agency, so Montas helps fill that void.
**World Today News:** The Mets are rumored to be pursuing more big moves. What other areas should they target to round out their roster?
**Sam Rosen:** The Mets could use another left-handed bat to add some balance to their lineup. They also need to bolster their bullpen. They have some promising young arms, but adding a veteran presence with closer experience could be beneficial.
**World Today News:** With the Mets’ ambition and financial resources, do you see them emerging as the team to beat in the NL East next season?
**Sam Rosen:** It’s certainly within the realm of possibility. The Braves are still a formidable opponent, but with Steve Cohen at the helm, the Mets are committed to building a championship-caliber team. This Montas signing is a clear sign of their intent.They’ve got a talented young core, a strong starting rotation, and the resources to make further impactful moves. if they can stay healthy and find the right pieces to fill their remaining needs, the Mets could be serious contenders for the World Series.
**World Today News:** Sam, thank you for your insights. It seems the Mets are poised for an exciting offseason and a promising 2024 season.
**Sam Rosen:** My pleasure. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the offseason unfolds for the Mets and the rest of the league.
