BREAKING: The Mets have completed two-year, $34 million deal with right-handed pitcher

The New York Mets have finalized a two-year, $34 million contract with veteran right-hander Frankie Montas.

The deal includes $17 million for 2024 and a player option worth another $17 million for 2026, along with a hotel suite during road trips. Montas, who turns 32 in March, spent the 2024 season with the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers, compiling a 7-11 record with a 4.84 ERA and 148 strikeouts across 150 2/3 innings in 30 starts.

After being acquired by Milwaukee at the trade deadline, he went 3-3 with a 4.55 ERA in 11 starts. Notably, his strikeout rate surged from 19% with the Reds to 28.7% with the Brewers. Last month, Montas declined a $20 million mutual option, opting for a $2 million buyout instead.

“We’re thrilled to add Frankie to our rotation,” Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns said. “He’s shown some of the best stuff in the game throughout his career and brings both talent and leadership to our pitching staff.”

Montas joins a Mets rotation that still needs reinforcements after losing Sean Manaea, Luis Severino, and José Quintana to free agency. The team also aims to bolster its bullpen in front of closer Edwin Díaz, while addressing the departure of longtime first baseman Pete Alonso, who became a free agent after hitting 34 home runs in 2024.

Recently, the Mets signed reliever Génesis Cabrera and first baseman Joey Meneses to minor league deals with invitations to spring training.

Over nine major league seasons, Montas has posted a 44-46 record with a 4.09 ERA in 129 starts and 31 relief appearances. His career includes stints with the White Sox, Athletics, Yankees, Reds, and Brewers. Despite missing most of the 2023 season following shoulder surgery with the Yankees, Montas’ standout year came in 2021 with the A’s when he went 13-9 with a 3.37 ERA, striking out a career-high 207 batters in 187 innings and finishing sixth in AL Cy Young voting.