The Mets have been busy this winter. New York (NL) added outfielder Jose Siri in November from the Rays and have been heavily linked to Juan Soto. But after the Mets lost three of their starters to free agency, pitching needed to be addressed at some point. The Mets filled one of those holes, as Frankie Montas is reportedly headed to Queens.
A Look at Montas
The Reds signed pitcher Frankie Montas with the hopes that the former Athletic and Yankee would return to form after missing almost all of 2023. His 2024 campaign, though, was a mixed bag.
Montas, between the Reds and Brewers, struck out 148 over 150.2 IP. His numbers with the Brewers (4.55 ERA, 70 K over 57.1 IP) were better than with the Reds (5.01 ERA, 78 K over 93.1 IP), despite an overall strong start in Cincy. Through his first five starts as a Red, Montas struck out 21 over 25.2 IP with a 3.55 ERA/.666 opp. OPS.
From mid-May onward, Montas’ numbers jumped to 5.56 ERA/.808 opp. OPS before the trade to Milwaukee.
What defines Montas’ ability on the mound is how he generates movement on his pitches. Montas gives opposing hitters different looks thanks to three different fastballs: a cutter, a four-seamer, as well as a two-seamer. His four-seamer doesn’t have elite carry (15.3” IVB) but differs optically than the sinker. Not to mention, Montas was able to rear back and hit 98 MPH at times, even though he primarily sat in the mid-90s.
Additionally, Montas can throw off batters thanks to two secondary pitches. Montas’ slider had above-average horizontal movement, while his mid-80s splitter has been his best secondary offering dating back to his days as an Oakland Athletic.
His splitter is a sharp offering that doesn’t move too much to the arm side. But, it can break down hard. Opposing batters whiffed on it to the tune of 42.6% last season.
All of those pitches helped Montas generate whiffs all across the four quadrants of the strike zone, a healthy sign of his ability to change speeds.
And, there wasn’t one particular time during the season where Montas got overly predictable; he went through stretches using his four-seamer or sinker more.
Per reports, the Mets signed Frankie Montas to a two-year deal worth $34MM.
Analysis
Even though the Mets have been heavily rumored to be in on Juan Soto, that doesn’t discount the fact the Amazins’ needed pitching this offseason.
The Mets hit big with Luis Severino and Sean Manaea, two pitchers who weren’t among the best free agents last winter, on short-term deals. However, both are free agents again and this time, will command larger deals. That’s thanks to tweaks to their pitch arsenals and/or deliveries.
Those two, as well as Jose Quintana becoming a free agent, left some holes in the Mets’ rotation. Heading into the offseason, the only two locks in the Mets‘ 2025 rotation were Kodai Senga and David Peterson. Tylor Megill and Paul Blackburn are also options. Blackburn, though, recently underwent surgery and may not be ready for Opening Day 2025.
Montas fits what the Mets’ new front office likes in undervalued starters: pitchers — not throwers — who can manipulate the baseball, change speeds, and give hitters different looks. The new Met righty, who has five pitches, does just that.
The addition of the 31-year-old likely won’t affect any potential moves the Mets may still make for their rotation, nor their pursuit of Soto.
It’s the third notable signing of a veteran Major League starter in the last week. Make sure to check out our coverage of the Dodgers’ signing of Blake Snell, plus the Angels’ signing of Yusei Kikuchi.