Frankie Goes To Flushing

[Frayed Knot]

The upside of this signing, or so sez this NYP article by Dan Martin (no word on what Dick Rowen thinks of the deal)



https://nypost.com/2024/12/03/sports/frankie-montas-mets-pairing-seen-as-one-with-plenty-of-promise/https://nypost.com/2024/12/03/sports/frankie-montas-mets-pairing-seen-as-one-with-plenty-of-promise/





He's yet to return to the form he showed prior to [his] injury, when he allowed just 7.8 hits per nine innings over 19 starts during the first half of '22 with the A's.

But several scouts and executives around MLB on Tuesday said they believe Montas showed positive signs with the Brewers during the latter part of last season and that being teamed with Mets pitching coach Jeremy Hefner could help the 31-year-old get back to similar heights ...



“When he's healthy and the team is good, I'll take my chances with him,'' one exec said Tuesday. “He's a smart pitcher and being paired with Hefner is going to be good.”

Montas was shaky with the Reds early last year and pitched better as the season went on — and as he got further removed from the shoulder surgery he underwent in 2023.

He tinkered with his arm slot last year, which Manaea did last season with the Mets to significant success, as Manaea bounced back after two subpar seasons with a strong one in Queens.

Two encouraging signs stood out following Montas' move from Cincinnati to Milwaukee: His hit rate decreased sharply and his strikeout rate jumped up..

[Benjamin Grimm]

I suspect that the Mets may have been willing to overpay him so they could fill in one rotation slot early in the offseason. Fewer balls in the air may not be worth several million to most teams, but perhaps it makes sense with the Mets' budget. (Or lack thereof.)



They'll look a little more like a complete team to whatever free agents they may be pursuing.



I don't know if that was a factor, but maybe.

[MFS62]

Frayed Knot wrote: The upside of this signing, or so sez this NYP article by Dan Martin (no word on what Dick Rowen thinks of the deal)

I'd give that a BOC, but it would only mean that we're both old enough to remember them.

So I'll give it an LOL! instead.

Later

[Frayed Knot]

Ya gotta know your audience.

[Centerfield]

Frankie at his press conference:



"Manaea's one of my best friends". The two pitched together in Oakland.