Earlier this week, the New York Mets made strategic moves to enhance their pitching roster, signing right-hander Frankie Montas to a two-year deal worth $34 million. The 31-year-old, whose journey through Major League Baseball has been marked by both promise and patchy performance, adds a new layer to the Mets' aspirations for the upcoming seasons.
Montas brings a vast array of pitches to the mound, including two mid-90s fastballs, a cutter, a splitter, and a slider. These tools create a diverse repertoire that has often placed him among above-average pitchers in public-facing pitch-quality models, notably rating his slider, splitter, and sweeper favorably. The Mets are banking on these mechanics to bolster their roster amidst a potential shuffle that might see longtime pitcher Jose Quintana depart as a free agent.
Last season, Montas played for the Cincinnati Reds and the Milwaukee Brewers, making 30 starts and posting a 4.84 ERA with a 2.24 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His time with the Brewers saw a shift in strategy, focusing more on his sinker and cutter, while using his slider and splitter less frequently. These adaptations highlight Montas' willingness to evolve and suggests the potential for better statistical outcomes. Indeed, as some analysts aptly put it, "The ingredients are here for better numbers."
Despite a less impactful stint with the New York Yankees in 2022, where he made only eight starts before missing nearly all of 2023 due to injury, the Mets see Montas as a valuable asset. The franchise's top baseball operations executive, David Stearns, clearly views this acquisition as a strategic move to bring depth and experience to the pitching lineup. The Mets’ leadership is no stranger to making such calculated decisions, having signed pitchers Sean Manaea and Luis Severino on short-term contracts the previous winter.
This venture into bolstering their pitching staff underlines the Mets' ongoing ambition to compete for top honors in the league. Montas' record shows that he has made 10-plus starts in six different seasons, and his experience could be pivotal in stabilizing the pitching core. Furthermore, Montas has been among the Cy Young Award discussions, once finishing as high as sixth, which implies that, when in form, he has the capacity to be among the league's elite pitchers.
Montas' signing has not only captured the attention of Mets fans but also signals the organization's intent to reestablish its competitive stature in the league. The potential departure of Jose Quintana means that Montas' role could be even more significant, providing him a chance to reaffirm his standing in Major League Baseball. The Mets' leadership has expressed confidence in Montas' abilities and believes he has the potential to make significant contributions.
As the Mets move forward, the acquisition of Frankie Montas could play a crucial role in shaping the team's fortunes. Should Montas achieve the "better numbers" predicted, his period with the Mets could be a defining chapter in his career. For now, Mets fans will watch eagerly, hopeful that the sum of his well-regarded pitching repertoire will converge into success on the field.