New York Mets Land Frankie Montas with $34M Deal Amid Expensive Pitching Market
The Chicago Cubs aren’t the only team making headlines with significant pitching signings. While the Cubs locked in Matthew Boyd on a two-year, $29 million deal, the New York Mets made waves by securing Frankie Montas for two years at $34 million, including a mid-contract opt-out. The agreement, pending a physical, marks a notable move as the Mets reshape their rotation.
Montas, 31, logged 150.2 innings with a 4.84 ERA last season between Cincinnati and Milwaukee. Once a standout with the Oakland A’s, Montas showed flashes of brilliance amid health concerns. However, since his mid-2022 trade to the Yankees, injuries have plagued his performance, resulting in a 5.12 ERA over 38 games (191.2 innings).
Despite recent struggles, the Mets are betting on Montas as a potential bounce-back candidate, shelling out $17 million annually—a steep price for depth pitching in today’s market. The figure exceeds MLB Trade Rumors’ projection of $22 million for two years, aligning more closely with FanGraphs’ higher estimate of $34 million.
The Mets faced a pressing need to bolster their rotation with multiple starters departing in free agency. Montas brings upside, but the cost reflects the increasingly inflated market for mid-tier pitchers. Boyd’s $29 million deal underscores the same trend, leaving many surprised at just how pricey this offseason has become for starting pitching.
While Montas could prove valuable if he regains form, the hefty price tag highlights the risk. For the Mets, urgency to secure reliable innings may have driven the aggressive bid. The question remains whether this gamble will pay off in a competitive pitching market.
