Jeff Passan of ESPN reports that the New York Mets and right-handed pitcher Frankie Montas have agreed to a two-year, $34 million contract at $17 million per year, pending a physical. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that the deal contains an opt-out for the second year.
The 31-year-old had a solid if unspectacular 2024 season that saw him pitch for the Milwaukee Brewers and the Cincinnati Reds. He pitched much better after his trade to the Reds, but overall pitched 150 2/3 innings, which was the second-highest total of his career to a 4.84 ERA and a 4.71 FIP, striking out 148 batters. While not known for his durability throughout his career, a 2022 shoulder injury seemed to linger into the 2023 season, which only allowed Montas to pitch one and one-third innings. His best full season was in 2021 with the Athletics when he pitched to a 3.37 ERA over 187 innings while striking out 207 and placing sixth in the Cy Young vote.
Montas has a five-pitch mix, throwing his fastballs almost 70% of the time (33% to the four-seam, 19% to the sinker, 19% to the cutter). His cutter was hit hard, allowing a .326 batting average and a .609 slugging percentage against. His primary off-speed pitch is a splitter, which he locates low in the zone. Lastly, Montas complements his trio of fastballs with a slider he locates down-and-in to right-handed hitters, which he allowed a .288 batting average against and a .577 slugging percentage.
Frankie Montas, Filthy 86mph Splitter. ✌️ pic.twitter.com/KGwvbedFDT
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 6, 2024
The Montas signing looks like what has become a trademark of David Stearns’ tenure as the Mets’ POBO – signing a high-upside arm with some durability questions to a short-term contract beneficial to both parties. Montas could easily slot into the same role Luis Severino filled last year, health permitting. Stearns has already shown he will not wait for all the dominos to fall before he moves to rebuild his rotation.
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