The New York Mets have made a decisive move in the offseason pitching market, signing right-hander Frankie Montas to a two-year deal worth $17 million per season, with a player opt-out after the first year. According to Jon Heyman of The Post, the agreement is pending a physical. The deal marks another calculated gamble for the Mets as they aim to replicate the success of their 2024 rotation revamp, which saw bounce-back campaigns from Sean Manaea and Luis Severino.
Meanwhile, veteran reliever Aroldis Chapman is drawing significant interest on the free-agent market after a strong 2024 campaign with the Pittsburgh Pirates. With both players representing intriguing offseason narratives, the baseball world is watching closely.
Frankie Montas: Mets claim Yankees bust
Frankie Montas, 31, comes to the Mets as a high-upside addition with a track record of both brilliance and inconsistency. At his peak, Montas was a strikeout machine, finishing sixth in AL Cy Young voting in 2021 with a dominant splitter that remains his most lethal weapon. Opponents hit just .218 against his splitter last season, with an impressive 42.6% whiff rate.
However, Montas’ journey has been tumultuous. After missing nearly all of 2023 due to shoulder surgery, he returned in 2024 to mixed results. Splitting the season between the Reds and Brewers, Montas posted a 4.84 ERA over 30 starts, with a concerning 1.367 WHIP and a walk rate of 3.9 per nine innings. A late-season surge with the Brewers offered hope, as Montas struck out 70 batters in 57 1/3 innings after the trade deadline.
For the Mets, Montas fits a now-familiar blueprint. In 2024, they successfully revived the careers of Manaea and Severino, both of whom contributed to the team’s deep postseason run to the NLCS. With both pitchers now free agents, Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns appears to be doubling down on this strategy.
“I think the way we built our rotation last offseason was successful,” Stearns said during the GM Meetings. “We are seeking to build another successful rotation however it occurs, and you can do that in a variety of different ways.”
Montas joins a Mets rotation led by Kodai Senga, with David Peterson, Tylor Megill, Jose Butto, and Paul Blackburn providing depth. While the group still lacks a true ace, the addition of Montas underscores the Mets’ willingness to bet on the upside in their pursuit of pitching stability.
Aroldis Chapman’s market heats up
While the Mets are rebuilding their rotation, another former New York standout is making waves in free agency. Aroldis Chapman, the flame-throwing closer known as “The Cuban Missile,” is reportedly drawing interest from at least six teams, according to Cuban Baseball Insider Francys Romero. After a resurgent 2024 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the 15-year veteran is poised to remain a hot commodity this offseason.
Chapman, who will turn 37 before the 2025 season, posted a 3.79 ERA over 68 appearances in 2024. He filled in as the Pirates’ closer late in the season, recording nine saves in September after David Bednar went down with an injury. Chapman’s fastball still ranks among the best in baseball, averaging 98.7 mph, the fourth-highest velocity among relievers last year.
Despite his age, Chapman remains an attractive option for teams seeking bullpen help. The biggest question is whether he will land a closer role or transition into an eighth-inning setup position. Contenders in need of bullpen reinforcements may pursue Chapman for his postseason pedigree, which includes a World Series title with the Cubs in 2016 and another with the Rangers in 2023.
For the Mets, Montas’ signing is emblematic of their broader offseason approach. Rather than pursuing marquee names at sky-high prices, the team is focusing on underperforming players with the potential for a resurgence. If Montas can rediscover his form, he could be a steal for a Mets team aiming to build on last season’s NLCS run.
Chapman’s situation is less certain but equally compelling. His market reflects the growing demand for experienced relievers with high strikeout potential. Whether he signs with a contender or a rebuilding team remains to be seen, but his late-season surge with the Pirates suggests he still has plenty left in the tank.
Montas and Chapman’s offseason journeys highlight broader trends in MLB. Teams are increasingly willing to invest in reclamation projects, seeking value in players whose talent may outweigh their recent struggles. For players like Montas, this means opportunities to rebuild their careers under the spotlight. For veterans like Chapman, it’s a chance to extend their legacies while proving they can still contribute at a high level.
As the hot stove heats up, the Mets and Chapman’s suitors will look to solidify their rosters. With Montas now in Queens and Chapman generating buzz, both players are poised to play pivotal roles in shaping MLB’s competitive landscape for 2025.
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