Frankie Montas’ Mets deal came before the organization could acquire Juan Soto or Max Fried (Source: Getty Images)

The New York Mets and former Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Frankie Montas agreed to a two-year, $34 million contract, pending a physical.

Montas took his services to Cincinnati and Milwaukee this past season, recording a 4.84 ERA. This was his comeback season after missing almost the entire 2023 season due to injury. The 31-year-old didn’t have a marked improvement when he switched clubs at the deadline but had an increase in strikeout percentage, from 19.0% with the Reds to 28.7% with the Brewers.

Montas’ signing comes as a little bit of a surprise for Mets fans who are aware that their team is interested in signing outfielder Juan Soto and pitcher Max Fried among others. They were also in the running for Blake Snell, who signed with the Dodgers last week.

“More important than Soto,” a fan wrote.

“Max Fried is definitely gone,” a fan concluded.

“It’s the kind of deal that makes me think they know something we don’t because there is no way it makes sense with what we do,” a fan opined.

“Yeah honestly I’m not a fan of this,” another fan said.

“If Frankie Montas is worth 17 mil a year then I’m at least worth league minimum god damn,” a fan wrote.

While some fans were against the deal, others were more accepting. It resembles their past signings of Sean Manaea and Luis Severino, free agents who weren’t top of the crop yet delivered on the mound when required.

Manaea and Severino ended up leading the rotation into the playoffs and an NLCS finish.

“This is the same “alright that’s cool I guess” feeling I had when we signed Manaea last year. Hopefully it works out the same way,” a supporter wrote.

“Very reminiscent of the Sevvy and Manaea projects from last year. Stearns has earned a lot of trust on these,” a fan said in favor of the Mets boss.

Where does Frankie Montas slot in the Mets rotation?

Frankie Montas will look to fill the void left by Luis Severino and Sean Manaea, who are now free agents. The latter had a qualifying offer that he declined in hopes of a better contract after his strong performance this season.

This has left the team with Kodai Senga and David Peterson as the two available starters. Montas would slot behind them. But the Mets are expected to go for either Max Fried or Corbin Burnes to become the team’s top ace. They will be left with some room to add another low-key pitcher but the option of bumping one of their prospects also remains.