The New York Mets have officially parted ways with veteran pitcher Frankie Montas after a short, injury-filled stint in Queens. The team designated Montas for assignment as they reshuffle the roster for the offseason.
This move opens up a spot for prospect Nick Morabito. It also highlights the persistent risk of handing out big contracts to pitchers with lengthy injury histories.
Meanwhile, another big headline is closer Edwin Díaz declining the Mets’ qualifying offer. That leaves the bullpen’s future a bit murky.
Frankie Montas’ Mets Tenure Ends Abruptly
Frankie Montas, now 32, joined the Mets hoping to revive his career. Injuries dashed those hopes almost immediately.
He never managed to make a consistent impact. Most recently, he underwent Tommy John surgery in September, which will keep him out for all of 2026.
A Costly Investment That Failed to Pay Off
The Mets signed Montas for $34 million over two years, but injuries kept him off the mound. He managed just nine games—seven as a starter—posting a 6.28 ERA over 38⅔ innings.
His time with the Yankees from 2022 to 2023 was also limited by injuries. The Mets still owe him $17 million, even after removing him from the roster.
Honestly, Montas’ struggles didn’t surprise many who knew his history of shoulder and lat issues. MLB teams constantly wrestle with the gamble of signing veteran arms who can’t always stay healthy.
Nick Morabito Gets His Chance
With Montas gone, the Mets wasted no time using that open 40-man roster spot. They protected outfield prospect Nick Morabito from the Rule 5 draft.
Morabito, just 22, flashed promise in Double-A. He hit .273 with 49 stolen bases and a .734 OPS over 118 games for Binghamton.
A Speed-Driven Skillset
Morabito’s speed jumps off the stat sheet. In a league that’s putting more value on athleticism, his skillset could really shake things up for the Mets.
Adding him to the 40-man roster signals the team’s intent to build around younger, more dynamic players. That’s a shift Mets fans have been wanting to see.
- .273 batting average in 118 Double-A games
- 49 stolen bases—he’s got real base-running chops
- .734 OPS shows he’s more than just fast
If Morabito keeps developing, maybe he’s an everyday outfielder in the next year or two. Wouldn’t that be something?
Edwin Díaz Declines Qualifying Offer
Montas leaving and Morabito’s promotion weren’t the only big moves this week. Star closer Edwin Díaz turned down a $22.025 million qualifying offer from the Mets, choosing to hit free agency for a longer deal.
Uncertain Future for the Bullpen
Díaz, fresh off a dominant 1.63 ERA and 28 saves in 2025, is still talking with the Mets. But he’s hinted there’s only a “50-50” shot he comes back.
If Díaz walks, the bullpen takes a serious hit. He’s been the anchor in late innings for a while now.
Mets fans are left wondering—will the team pay up, or look elsewhere for relief help? The offseason just got a lot more interesting.
What It All Means for the Mets
Both the release of Frankie Montas and the uncertainty swirling around Edwin Díaz put the Mets at a real crossroads. The team’s got promising young talent like Morabito, whose speed and athleticism might just inject some much-needed energy into the roster.
At the same time, they’re staring down tough financial choices with proven, but pricey, veterans. It’s not an easy balance.
Looking at how MLB teams handle their rosters these days, the Mets seem to be juggling a lot—moving on from injury-prone players, trying to protect their prospects, and holding onto elite performers for those key moments.
Honestly, it feels like whatever happens this offseason could tip the scales for New York—are they going to push to contend, or start rebuilding for 2026? That’s the big question.
For now, everyone’s watching Díaz’s negotiations and Morabito’s growth. Those two storylines could end up shaping the Mets’ path for years. Nobody really knows yet, but that’s half the fun, isn’t it?
Here is the source article for this story: Mets dump $34 million mistake Frankie Montas to protect prospect from…
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