Frankie Montas
The Mets recently added Frankie Montas to their starting pitching depth chart. They inked the former Oakland Athletics right-hander to a two-year deal at $34 million ($17 million AAV). With the recent success the Mets have had turning around struggling veterans like Luis Severino and the aforementioned Sean Manaea, Montas could be in store for a rebound himself.
Montas missed most of 2023 due to injuries but was healthy enough to make 30 starts and pitched 150.2 frames last season for the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers. The numbers were not pretty, however, as he put up a 4.84 ERA, 4.71 FIP, and 1.37 WHIP. Montas had an unremarkable 22.6% strikeout rate and 10.1% walk rate but greatly struggled to limit home runs. His HR/9 came in at 1.43 with a mediocre 9.2% barrel rate.
For what it’s worth, Montas has had success in the past. From 2018 through 2022, Montas pitched to a 3.70 ERA, 3.61 FIP, and 1.25 WHIP with a much better 24.1% K%, 7.3% walk percentage, and 1.01 HR/9. Montas also finished sixth place in American League Cy Young voting in 2021 while with the Oakland A’s.
Montas also had some better ERA estimators. His xFIP clocked in at 4.26, while his SIERA sat at 4.38. While neither paints Montas in a great light, they are an improvement over his 4.84 ERA. Hopefully, the Mets can add Montas to their resume of veterans who have turned things around in New York. It would undoubtedly be a big help for the Mets’ rotation if Montas could look closer to his 2018-2022 days compared to his 2024 season.