The baseball world is abuzz with the New York Mets' latest acquisition: right-hander Frankie Montas has signed a two-year deal worth $34 million, setting the stage for what promises to be an intriguing chapter in Montas' career. At the age of 31, Montas brings with him a blend of experience and potential, a combination that the Mets hope will drive their pursuit of top honors in the league.
Montas' journey to the Mets has been anything but linear. Last season, he donned the jerseys of both the Cincinnati Reds and the Milwaukee Brewers, showcasing his resilience and adaptability. Across 30 starts, he posted a 4.84 ERA, coupled with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 2.24. Although these numbers may seem modest, they tell only part of the story.
Shifting Strategies and Pitch Arsenal
After transitioning to the Brewers, Montas refined his pitching strategy, placing greater emphasis on his sinker and cutter while dialing down his use of the slider and splitter. This recalibration was an attempt to harness the potential of his extensive pitching arsenal, which includes two mid-90s fastballs, alongside his cutter, splitter, and slider. Despite these adjustments, public-facing pitch-quality models continue to rate Montas' slider, splitter, and sweeper as above average—an endorsement of the innate talent within his arm.
The Mets' Strategic Vision
David Stearns, the Mets' top baseball operations executive, orchestrated Montas' signing, consistent with the team's aggressive off-season strategy, which also saw the additions of pitchers Sean Manaea and Luis Severino on short-term contracts. These moves underline the Mets' determination to bolster their pitching lineup, especially given the looming potential free-agent departure of Jose Quintana.
Montas is no stranger to being in the limelight. With over ten starts in six different seasons and even finishing as high as sixth in a previous Cy Young Award voting, he has shown glimpses of brilliance. Yet, his stint with the New York Yankees in 2022, where he made only eight starts before missing nearly all of 2023, was a clear setback. Consequently, his signing with the Mets represents something of a redemption arc, a calculated risk by the Mets that could deliver significant dividends.
Potential for Evolution
The Mets are betting on Montas' potential to turn things around, with one anonymous observer noting, "The ingredients are here for better numbers." This sentiment encapsulates the hope that Montas, under the right circumstances, can leverage his skill set to become a more prominent contributor to the Mets' pitching rotation.
Several factors favor Montas' prospects, not least the Mets' robust support system and their strategic focus on honing player performance. The team clearly sees the value in Montas' varied pitch repertoire, especially given that his slider, splitter, and sweeper are rated as above average by analytical models. This recognition of Montas' capabilities showcases the Mets' broader ambition to compete with the best in the league by nurturing raw potential and converting it into performance.
Conclusion: A New Chapter Begins
The signing of Frankie Montas is a reflection of the Mets' broader vision and tactical strategy going forward. While his past performance has been a tapestry woven with ups and downs, the lingering sense is one of optimism—a belief that under the stewardship of the Mets, Montas can become an integral part of their quest for excellence.
The coming seasons will tell whether this gamble pays off, yet the confidence in Montas' ability to rise to the occasion is palpable. With the support of the Mets' organization and the determination to succeed, Montas has the chance to rewrite his narrative and cement his legacy in the annals of baseball history.