In a significant move to bolster their pitching staff, the New York Mets have agreed to terms with free-agent right-hander Frankie Montas on a two-year, $34 million contract, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The deal, which will see Montas earn $17 million annually in both 2024 and 2025, includes an opt-out clause after the 2025 season, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
Montas, who is represented by the Boras Corporation, joins the Mets after spending time with the Oakland Athletics and New York Yankees. His signing adds depth to a pitching staff that’s looking to regain its form following a disappointing 2023 season.
The righty has flashed significant potential throughout his career, especially during his time with the A’s, where he emerged as a reliable top-end starter. He has a power fastball and solid breaking stuff, but injuries have limited his consistency, especially after his trade to the Yankees. Montas struggled to stay healthy in 2023 and was ultimately sidelined for a large portion of the year. When at his best, however, Montas has shown the ability to be a solid mid-rotation starter, with a career ERA of 3.74 and a solid strikeout rate of 8.6 strikeouts per nine innings.
The opt-out clause in his contract is a smart move for Montas, giving him the opportunity to test the market again after two seasons if he performs well. For the Mets, this deal could either represent a high-reward opportunity if Montas returns to his pre-injury form or a more cautious approach to solidifying their starting rotation while managing risk.
The Mets continue to make moves this offseason as they reshape their roster with the aim of contending in a competitive NL East division. Montas’ arrival offers the Mets another arm to compete alongside their elite rotation, including the likes of Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, and Kodai Senga.
For Montas, a successful stint in New York could mean a major payday in the future. For the Mets, it adds another veteran arm with the potential for upside in the back end of their rotation. All eyes will be on Montas as he looks to get back to form and prove his value to the Mets over the next two seasons.
