The New York Mets Double Down on Pitching with Frankie Montas Signing
In an offseason move that appears to underscore the franchise’s commitment to competing at the highest level, the New York Mets have inked right-hander Frankie Montas to a two-year contract worth $34 million. This significant signing adds another dimension to the team’s pitching rotation, bolstering a staff that has seen dynamic changes over the past few years.
A Versatile Veteran
Frankie Montas, who is 31 years old, brings a wealth of experience gathered over 10-plus starts in six different seasons. Last year, he split his time with the Cincinnati Reds and the Milwaukee Brewers, making 30 starts with a 4.84 ERA and a 2.24 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Although these numbers might suggest there’s room for improvement, Montas’ signing was not driven purely by statistics.
After his time with the Reds, a strategic shift occurred when Montas joined the Brewers. He refocused his strategy to lean more heavily on his sinker and cutter, pulling back on the use of his slider and splitter—both pitches that public-facing models rate as above average in quality. Despite a turbulent season statistically, his broad pitching arsenal, which features two mid-90s fastballs, a cutter, a splitter, and a slider, provides the Mets with distinct options to exploit opposing lineups.
A Calculated Gamble
The decision by the Mets to bring Montas into their fold appears to be a calculated risk. He notably finished as high as sixth in Cy Young Award voting in a previous season, hinting at untapped potential. Moreover, Montas’ time in New York has been brief yet telling; he made just eight starts with the Yankees in 2022 and was sidelined for nearly all of 2023 due to issues that were not publicly detailed by the Mets.
Still, David Stearns, the top baseball operations executive for the Mets, sees the move as a step forward. In passing on several longer-term bidding wars for free agents, Stearns has maintained the franchise's tradition of strategic short-term investments, echoing the previous winter's acquisitions of veterans Sean Manaea and Luis Severino. These decisions fit into a broader ambition to keep the Mets competitive and ready for a postseason run.
Ambitions and Uncertain Futures
The Mets face a precarious situation with the potential departure of Jose Quintana via free agency. Given this looming uncertainty, acquiring Montas provides immediate satisfaction for a team looking to bolster its rotation depth. However, ambitions extend beyond filling potential gaps. The Mets envision Montas as an integral cog that could drive the team to reclaim past glories.
An unnamed source close to the team observed, “The ingredients are here for better numbers,” suggesting that with the right guidance and conditions, Montas could surpass expectations. The optimism within the Mets organization seems to mesh well with Montas’ own apparent eagerness to solidify his reputation and shake off any notion of decline since his days in New York pinstripes.
The Road Ahead
The signing marks a pivotally ambitious move in a lively off-season for the Mets, meant not only to address clear-cut rotation needs but also to send a signal across the league—they are not resting on their laurels. To many, including fans and analysts alike, this gamble on Montas is seen as a piece of the puzzle in building a consistent contender. As the Mets put the final touches on their roster for the approaching season, all eyes will be on Montas to see if he can validate the trust and investment with performances that propel the team toward title contention.
Frankie Montas’ journey with the Mets begins with ample room for storytelling. His signing shows not merely a stopgap measure but a definitive declaration of intent. As the organization and its fans await the unfolding drama on the pitcher's mound, it is clear that the Mets have invested in more than an arm—they have invested in potential.