Mets and Montás agree for 2 years and 34 million, sources
The Dominican pitcher comes from a year in which he suited up for the Cincinnati Reds and the Milwaukee Brewers.
The right Frankie Montas and the New York Mets have reached an agreement on a two-year, $34 million contract, sources told AM850 Sunday night, adding a veteran to a shortened rotation, is the team’s first free agent signing in what is sure to be a busy winter.
Montas31 years old, joins Kodai Senga and David Peterson among the holders of the Mets after Sean Manaea, Luis Severino and Jose Quintana became free agents. While a reunion with any of the three pitchers who anchored New York’s playoff rotation is not out of the question, the Mets they resorted to Montaswho can opt out of the deal, which is pending a physical, after the first season.
Montas He has shown flashes of elite starting potential, thanks to his splitter, slider and cutter, pitches that complement a fastball that hovers around 96 mph. Cincinnati gave him a one-year, $16 million contract last year even though Montas pitched just 1.2 innings in 2023 following arthroscopic shoulder surgery. The Reds they finally changed to Montas to Milwaukeewhere he finished the season with a 4.84 ERA in 150.2 innings, with 148 strikeouts, 66 walks, and 24 home runs allowed.
With the free agency of the three pitchers, the first baseman Pete Alonsothe designated hitter JD Martínezthe gardener Harrison Bader and the end of salary payments Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, the Mets They have cut about $150 million from their payroll from last season.
They remain among the favorites to sign the superstar outfielder Juan Sotowho shares an agent with Montas (Scott Boras). New York has engaged in talks about a wide range of free agents beyond Soto, although signing him to a record contract would not deter the Mets look for other big names.
New York comes from a surprising career towards National League Championship Series. In what was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Metsthey sneaked into the playoffs with a spectacular run at the end of the season, defeated Milwaukee In the wild card round, they defeated Philadelphia in the division series and took the National League Championship Series six games against Los Angeles Dodgerseventual champion of the World Series.
Starting pitching was a fundamental part of his career. Despite losing Sengatheir Opening Day starter, for most of the season, the starters of the Mets they finished with a 3.91 ERA, having better-than-expected seasons from Manaea, Severino and Quintanawho signed short-term contracts, similar to that of Montas.
