The New York Mets have made a notable move to bolster their pitching staff by signing veteran right-hander Frankie Montas to a two-year contract worth $34 million, pending a physical examination. This represents the Mets’ first major addition to their pitching roster for the upcoming 2025 season. As a seasoned 31-year-old, Montas brings a mix of experience and untapped potential to the table. In the 2024 season, he played for both the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers, during which he made 30 starts and delivered 150 and two-thirds innings, recording 148 strikeouts with a 4.84 ERA. While those numbers might not turn heads, Montas has also showcased moments of brilliance throughout his nine-year career in Major League Baseball, indicating he might have plenty left to give.
Sources confirmed to ESPN that Montas’s agreement with the Mets is officially in place, although it’s contingent on passing a physical evaluation. Over the past season, he pitched a total of 150.2 innings with a 4.84 ERA while transitioning between Cincinnati and Milwaukee. This deal marks Montas as the first new player in the Mets’ revamped pitching rotation, a critical step in their efforts to enhance their competitiveness.
What’s particularly interesting about this signing is that it marks a return to New York for Montas after a challenging period with the Yankees during 2022 to 2023. Unfortunately, his stint in the Bronx was severely limited due to ongoing shoulder issues, as he managed to pitch in only nine games. Before that rough patch, Montas was a key component of the Oakland Athletics’ rotation for six seasons, where he established a reputation for his powerful fastball and effective splitter.
This move carries with it a fair share of risk, chiefly concerning Montas’s health. However, the relatively short duration of the contract shows the Mets’ willingness to take a calculated gamble. If Montas can manage to stay healthy, he could easily provide a wealth of innings and much-needed stability to a rotation that’s craving reinforcement.
As MLB insider Jeff Passan pointed out, “Montas is the initial piece in the Mets’ unconventional rotation.” This hints at the team possibly pursuing further enhancements to their lineup, as they have clear aspirations to return to postseason contention. Given that they’ve lost several key pitchers in recent seasons, improving the pitching staff has become imperative for the Mets.
Montas is not the only name on the Mets’ offseason agenda. The organization is also chasing superstar free agent Juan Soto, who stands as the crown jewel of this offseason’s market. While much of the media spotlight is currently on Soto, the Mets are aiming for a well-rounded strategy to revitalize various parts of their roster. Signing Montas underscores their determination to rebuild a competitive team from multiple directions.
For Montas, this new contract is a golden opportunity for redemption after facing a streak of tough seasons. His brief time in New York has given him an appreciation for the high expectations that come with donning a Mets uniform. If he can recapture the form that once made him a standout in Oakland, Montas has the potential to become an integral player for the Mets as they strive to reclaim their spot in the playoff chase.
As the offseason wears on, the Mets are exhibiting a clear intention in free agency to construct a team capable of competing in the challenging National League. For Montas, the goal will be to validate the team’s confidence in him by delivering strong performances in 2025—perhaps leading to a successful turnaround, both personally and for the franchise as a whole.
Montas embodies the hopes of a franchise that strives to rise above the challenges it has faced in recent years, reminding fans that every signing can carry with it the promise of a new beginning. As fans and followers of the game, we’re all waiting to see if Montas can indeed reignite that spark on the mound—because every pitch counts, especially in the quest for a championship.
