New York Mets Land Frankie Montas in Strategic Two-Year Deal
In a calculated move to bolster their pitching rotation, the New York Mets have signed right-handed pitcher Frankie Montas to a two-year contract valued at $34 million. This acquisition reflects the Mets' ongoing ambition to remain competitive at the highest levels of Major League Baseball.
The signing of Montas, a 31-year-old seasoned pitcher, comes after a peculiar career trajectory that saw him playing for both the Cincinnati Reds and the Milwaukee Brewers during the last season. Despite the challenges, Montas appeared in 30 games, demonstrating resilience and endurance. He posted a 4.84 ERA and a 2.24 strikeout-to-walk ratio, figures that may have been influenced by a season of adjustment and transition between teams.
Montas's pitching style underwent a notable shift after he joined the Brewers. He opted to emphasize his sinker and cutter, choosing to rely less on his slider and splitter — pitches that public-facing pitch-quality models have rated as above average. Nevertheless, Montas's arsenal remains versatile, featuring two fastballs that touch the mid-90s, alongside a robust cutter, splitter, and slider.
Despite a performance last year that some might see as uneven, the Mets are betting on Montas’s potential to elevate his game. "The ingredients are here for better numbers," suggests the prevailing sentiment around the team's decision to invest in him. With his background, which includes making 10-plus starts in six different seasons and finishing as high as sixth in the Cy Young Award voting in a previous year, Montas has laid the groundwork for high expectations.
David Stearns, the top baseball operations executive for the Mets, seems confident in Montas's ability to contribute significantly to the team. This belief is reinforced by the franchise's prior moves, having recently signed pitchers like Sean Manaea and Luis Severino on short-term deals. The acquisition of Montas fits into a broader strategy to prepare for potential rotational gaps, notably the looming possibility of losing Jose Quintana to free agency.
Looking back at Montas's brief tenure with the New York Yankees in 2022, where he managed to make only eight starts and subsequently missed nearly all of 2023, expectations for the Mets contract might seem high. Nevertheless, the team's willingness to sign him to a two-year deal underlines their confidence in his capacity to overcome previous setbacks and deliver valuable performances.
This move by the Mets speaks volumes about their immediate aspirations. Signing a pitcher of Frankie Montas's caliber signals the organization’s intent to vie for top honors in the league, a statement reinforced by Montas's past recognition in the Cy Young Award voting. The implication is clear: the Mets are looking to construct a rotation capable of sustaining them through a grueling season and into the postseason.
Montas enters this new chapter with a chance to capitalize on the opportunities the Mets organization provides. With an enhanced focus on utilizing his pitch strengths and adapting his approach under the guidance of the Mets coaching staff, there's a palpable sense that Montas could indeed see better numbers in New York.
As the new season looms, Mets fans will be eager to see how Montas fits into the team’s plans and whether he can unlock the potential that has often shone through sporadically in his career. If Montas can harness his varied pitch repertoire effectively, the Mets may have found a linchpin in their quest to claim the top spots in the league standings.