The New York Mets appear determined to capitalize on the Yankees’ missteps. Following their success in transforming former Yankees ace Luis Severino into a solid starter in 2024, the Mets have once again tapped into familiar territory by signing top yankees star to a two-year, $34 million contract. This move is a bold gamble on Montas, whose performance has been inconsistent since his troubled time with the Yankees.
A Tale of Redemption?
The Yankees acquired top star from the Oakland Athletics at the 2022 trade deadline, aiming to strengthen their rotation. However, Montas struggled significantly, finishing the season with a disappointing 6.35 ERA over 39.2 innings. His woes continued in 2023, as injuries limited him to just 1.1 innings, making him one of the least effective trade acquisitions in recent Yankees history.
By 2024, Montas revitalized his career with stints in Cincinnati and Milwaukee. Over 150.2 innings, he posted a 4.84 ERA—not stellar but a notable improvement from his Yankees days. His fastball velocity rebounded, averaging 95.8 mph, near his career average. The Mets see promise in Montas and are betting on his continued progress now that he appears fully recovered from injury.
Learning from the Severino Model
The Mets’ decision to take a chance on Frankie Montas mirrors their strategy with Luis Severino. Severino, coming off a challenging final season with the Yankees, struggled to regain form after injuries. Yet, the Mets capitalized on his second year of recovery—a phase often seen as more reflective of a player’s potential post-recovery. Severino emerged as one of their most dependable starters in 2024, inspiring the Mets to adopt a similar approach with Montas.
The two-year, $34 million deal—paying Montas $17 million annually—is undeniably a risk. His recent performance doesn’t exactly justify the price tag, but the Mets are banking on a second-year rebound similar to Severino’s. If Montas can deliver consistency, the deal might prove a shrewd move. However, if he falters, it could add to the Mets’ history of costly missteps in player investments.
The Bigger Picture: Mets’ Offseason Strategy
The signing of Frankie Montas is just one piece of a larger strategy for the Mets as they prepare for what could be a game-changing offseason. Their pursuit of superstar free agent Juan Soto is at the forefront, with his potential arrival likely shaping the team’s overall approach. If Soto joins the Mets, it could trigger an aggressive push to address remaining needs across the rotation, bullpen, and lineup.
With several starting pitchers leaving in free agency and Pete Alonso seeking a long-term extension, the Mets face significant challenges. While Montas may not be the marquee ace fans had hoped for, he has the potential to be a valuable mid-rotation starter if he performs as expected. For now, the Mets are focused on the bigger picture, banking on Montas to contribute while they work to secure more pivotal upgrades.
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