The New York Mets will still have a $34 million disappointment on their roster for 2026, even though he won’t play.
Pitcher Frankie Montas picked up his $17 million player option for next season. He won’t take the mound, though, due to elbow surgery.
Frankie Montas has exercised his $17 million player option for 2026
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) November 4, 2025
He is expected to miss the entire season while he recovers from elbow surgery pic.twitter.com/kLsjZrbkLX
How Montas Became a $34 Million Bust
Montas was a huge bust for the Mets. They signed the veteran pitcher following a bounce-back 2023 season in which he posted a 4.84 ERA in 30 starts for the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers, striking out 148 across 150 2/3 innings.
He parlayed that into a two-year, $34 million deal with a player option for 2026 with the Mets prior to the 2024 season. He was expected to be a solid middle- to back-of-the-rotation starter, but the contract was an unmitigated disaster.
Montas didn’t make his Mets debut until June due to a lat strain, and he never found his rhythm. He posted a 6.68 ERA in seven starts before being moved to the bullpen, where he made two more appearances. Montas was then shut down in August due to a UCL injury in his right elbow.
In nine games, Montas recorded a 6.28 ERA, allowed 11.2 hits per nine innings, surrendered eight home runs and gave up 14 walks in 38 2/3 innings.
Montas will be a free agent after the 2026 season.
