Frankie Montas and the New York Mets finalized their two-year, $34 million contract on Wednesday.
The veteran right-handed pitcher will earn $17 million in 2024, with a player option for another $17 million in 2026. He will also receive a hotel suite during road trips.
Montas, who will turn 32 in March, had a 7-11 record with a 4.84 ERA and 148 strikeouts in 150 2/3 innings over 30 starts for the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers this past season.
He was 3-3 with a 4.55 ERA in 11 starts for the Brewers, who traded for him just before the July 30 deadline. After joining Milwaukee, his strikeout rate improved from 19% to 28.7%.
Last month, Montas turned down a $20 million mutual option and received a $2 million buyout.
“We are excited to bring Frankie into the organization and add a quality arm to our major league rotation,” said Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns in a statement. “Throughout his career, Frankie has flashed some of the best stuff in the game. He’ll provide a stabilizing presence to our pitching staff and can contribute on and off the field.”
Even with Montas joining the team, the Mets still need to work on their rotation. Sean Manaea, Luis Severino, and Jose Quintana became free agents after helping the team reach the National League Championship Series this year.
The Mets are also looking to improve their bullpen in front of closer Edwin Díaz. Additionally, longtime first baseman Pete Alonso became a free agent after hitting 34 home runs this season.
The team signed left-handed reliever Génesis Cabrera and first baseman Joey Meneses to minor league contracts at the end of last month. Both players were invited to big league spring training.
Montas has a 44-46 record with a 4.09 ERA in 129 starts and 31 relief appearances over nine seasons in the major leagues, having also played for the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, and New York Yankees.
He missed most of the 2023 season after undergoing shoulder surgery with the Yankees.
Montas had his best season in 2021 with the A’s, finishing with a 13-9 record, a 3.37 ERA, and a career-high 207 strikeouts in 187 innings. He finished sixth in AL Cy Young Award voting that year.
