The New York Mets reportedly added a key piece to their rotation on Sunday night.
The Mets agreed to a two-year, $34 million contract with right-hander Frankie Montas on Sunday, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passano. Montas reportedly has a player option after the 2025 season.
Right-hander Frankie Montas and the New York Mets have agreed to terms on a two-year, $34 million contract pending a physical, sources tell ESPN. Montas, 31, threw 150.2 innings with a 4.84 ERA last year with Cincinnati and Milwaukee. He is the first piece in the new Mets rotation.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) 2 December 2024
Montas started last season with the Cincinnati Reds, who signed him after a shoulder injury limited him to just one game in 2023 with the New York Yankees. The Milwaukee Brewers then agreed to a deal for Montas before the trade deadline in July. It was the fifth time he had been traded since the 2013 draft of Montas.
Overall, Montas had a 4.84 ERA with 148 strikeouts in nearly 151 innings last season. He went 7-11 in 30 starts as the Brewers finished 3-3 to close out the year. The team made the playoffs for the second year in a row, although they were eliminated in the wild card round.
Montas, 31, will join Kodai Seng and David Peterson in the Mets’ rotation after several other starters from last season hit free agency, including Sean Manaea, Luis Severino and Jose Quintana, who helped lead the team to a surprise trip to the National League. Championship Series. It marked the Mets’ deepest season in nearly a decade.
The Mets are sure to make a few more moves this offseason when it comes to their bullpen, including potentially signing any of their three starters who are now on the open market to new contracts. The team is reportedly in pursuit of star outfielder Juan Soto. Thanks to free agency, the Mets already cut $150 million from last season, the most in the league.
While Montas may not be a consistent front-line starter in New York, something he has shown throughout his career, he should provide solid depth to the Mets’ rotation next summer.