Frankie Montas has made a name for himself as a talented, though often-injured, pitcher in Major League Baseball. This Dominican right-hander has bounced around a few teams, flashing a powerful fastball and splitter combo that, when he’s healthy, is pretty intimidating for hitters.
Frankie Montas just inked a two-year, $34 million contract with the New York Mets in December 2024, including a player option for 2026. The Mets clearly believe in him, even with his injury history. This contract is a big jump from what he got before, like the $5.025 million deal he signed with the Oakland Athletics in 2022.
Montas has managed to build a solid financial base over his career. His net worth sits around $1.5 million as of 2024, though some reports throw out numbers as high as $15.8 million. His annual salary is currently $7.5 million, which reflects his value as a veteran MLB pitcher—especially when he’s firing on all cylinders.
Early Life and Baseball Beginnings
Frankie Montas started his journey to MLB stardom in the Dominican Republic, where his raw talent and drive set him apart as a future right-handed pitcher to watch.
Background and Childhood
Born on March 21, 1993, in San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic, Montas grew up in a country where baseball is almost a way of life. Even as a kid, he had a cannon for an arm, and local coaches and scouts noticed pretty quickly.
Montas didn’t go through the formal academy system like a lot of Dominican prospects. Instead, he honed his skills on sandlots and makeshift fields in his neighborhood. He eventually shot up to 6’2″ and 255 pounds, and that natural strength, paired with his ability to throw hard, made him stand out.
Baseball was more than a pastime for Montas; it was a shot at a better life for him and his family. In the Dominican Republic, pro sports can be one of the few ways out of poverty.
Path to Professional Baseball
Scouts from the Boston Red Sox spotted Montas’ raw ability. At just 16, he signed with them in 2009. The signing bonus wasn’t huge compared to other prospects, but it got his foot in the door.
He spent his first pro years pitching in the Dominican Summer League, then moved into the U.S. minor league system. Early on, his fastball regularly hit the high-90s and became his calling card.
The Chicago White Sox picked him up in a 2012 trade. That was just the first of several team changes for Montas. Each time, he kept working on his pitching, adding a nasty slider and splitter to his already electric fastball.
By 2015, Montas climbed the minor league ladder and debuted in MLB with the White Sox. That was just the start of a winding road through several teams as a promising power pitcher.
Professional Career
Frankie Montas has carved out an interesting path in Major League Baseball. He’s gone from a hard-throwing prospect to a reliable starter, though injuries and trades have definitely shaped his career.
MLB Debut and Initial Teams
Montas debuted in MLB on September 2, 2015, with the Chicago White Sox. Scouts immediately noticed his blazing fastball, which often touched the upper 90s.
He didn’t stay long with the White Sox. After the 2015 season, the team traded him to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a three-team deal. Montas barely got a chance to pitch for the Dodgers—just two games—before they moved him to the Oakland Athletics in 2016 in a trade that sent Rich Hill and Josh Reddick to LA.
These early moves gave Montas some experience, but not much consistency. He bounced between the big leagues and the minors, working on his command and figuring out whether he’d be a starter or a reliever.
Oakland Athletics Years
Montas really started to shine with the Athletics from 2017 to 2022, growing into a frontline starter. In 2019, he looked dominant, putting up a 2.63 ERA, but then got suspended for 80 games for performance-enhancing substances.
The 2021 season was his breakout. He started 32 games, posted a 3.37 ERA, and struck out 207 batters. That year, he became Oakland’s ace and a hot commodity on the trade market. In March 2022, Montas signed a $5.025 million contract with the A’s, avoiding arbitration.
As the A’s began rebuilding, Montas constantly popped up in trade rumors. Teams chasing the playoffs wanted his arm, and the Athletics finally dealt him at the 2022 trade deadline. He went to the Yankees after putting up a 3.18 ERA in 19 starts for Oakland.
New York Yankees Era
The Yankees picked up Montas in August 2022, hoping for big things, but it just didn’t work out. Shoulder problems hit almost immediately, and he finished with a rough 6.35 ERA over only eight appearances.
Things got worse when Montas needed shoulder surgery in February 2023. That put him out for most of the year. He made just a brief relief appearance at the very end of the season.
After hitting free agency, Montas landed a two-year, $34 million contract with the New York Mets before the 2024 season. That’s $17 million per year—a big bet by the Mets, considering his recent injuries.
The Mets clearly see a chance for Montas to get back to his Oakland form. His story so far? Lots of promise, some big performances, and, yeah, plenty of health challenges.
Contract History and Salary Details
Frankie Montas has worked his way up the MLB pay scale, landing bigger deals as he proved his worth as a starter. His earnings track both his potential and what he’s actually done on the field.
First MLB Contracts
Montas started out earning what most young international prospects do—not much. When he signed with the Boston Red Sox, he got the usual minor league pay and didn’t see real money until his MLB debut with the White Sox in 2015.
In those early years, Montas made close to the league minimum. Things changed during his time with the Oakland Athletics, where he became a regular in the rotation.
In 2022, Montas got a $5.025 million contract with the A’s, avoiding arbitration. That was a solid raise and showed the team valued him as a top starter.
One-Year and Multi-Year Deals
Montas’ career shifted again when the New York Yankees traded for him in 2022. He finished out his A’s contract but then missed nearly all of 2023 due to injury.
After recovering, Montas signed a one-year, $16 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds. The deal included a mutual option for 2025, a sign that teams still believed in his upside.
The biggest payday came with his two-year, $34 million deal from the Mets. Boras Corporation negotiated the contract, which guarantees $34 million and pays $17 million a year. That’s a clear signal the Mets are betting on his comeback.
$16MM Deal Analysis
The one-year, $16 million contract with Cincinnati was a gamble for both sides. For Montas, it was a chance to prove he could stay healthy and earn a bigger deal.
The Reds saw a potential bargain if Montas bounced back. The mutual option for 2025 gave flexibility, but Montas ended up declining it and testing free agency.
MLB analysts saw the deal as a potential steal if Montas returned to form. His performance on that contract set him up for the more lucrative Mets deal.
SalarySport pegs Montas’ net worth at $15.8 million, and that number should keep climbing with his current Mets contract through 2025.
Net Worth and Financial Impact
Frankie Montas has built up real wealth through his MLB career. His contracts show what teams think he’s worth as a pitcher, and his earnings have shaped his financial life.
Earnings From Baseball
Montas makes most of his money from his MLB salary. His current deal with the New York Mets is worth $34 million over two years, or $17 million per year. There’s also an opt-out clause after the 2025 season.
Before the Mets, he signed a $5.025 million contract with the Oakland Athletics in March 2022, then got traded to the Yankees and played there until 2023.
Net worth estimates for Montas are all over the place, ranging from about $1.5 million in 2024 to $15.8 million. The difference probably comes down to how and when people are doing the math.
Endorsements and Other Income
Montas hasn’t really chased endorsements like some MLB stars. He seems focused on his game, not on building a brand or stacking sponsorship deals.
If he has endorsement contracts, they haven’t been publicized much. Usually, players of his caliber have equipment deals—gloves, cleats, that sort of thing.
He hasn’t announced any big business ventures outside of baseball. Maybe that’ll change if he keeps performing well in New York and his profile rises.
Lifestyle and Investments
Montas keeps his personal life pretty private, so it’s tough to know exactly how he spends or invests his money. Like most pros, he probably works with advisors to handle his finances.
Joining the Mets gave him a big financial boost. Steve Cohen, the team’s owner, spends big, and Montas benefits from that environment.
His contract structure gives him some flexibility. The opt-out after 2025 means he could test free agency again if things go his way.
If Montas stays healthy and keeps pitching well, he could land another nice contract before he hangs it up.
Recent Developments and 2025 Season Outlook
Frankie Montas heads into the 2025 season with a lot of eyes on him after signing that big deal with the New York Mets. He’s got a real shot to make an impact in a tough National League East.
New York Mets Role
Montas came to the Mets on a two-year, $34 million contract that includes an opt-out after 2025. Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns clearly sees Montas as a key rotation piece.
In 2025, Montas is slated to be the Mets’ No. 3 starter behind Kodai Senga and Luis Severino. Manager Carlos Mendoza has said he trusts Montas to give the team quality innings and bring some veteran leadership.
Montas will make $17 million in 2025, putting him among the top earners on the pitching staff. His performance could be a difference-maker as the Mets try to keep up with the Phillies (with Aaron Nola) and the Braves (with Max Fried) in the division.
Pitching Staff Analysis
Montas joins a Mets rotation that’s gone through a lot of changes lately.
With Kodai Senga’s health still up in the air and several pitchers leaving, Montas brings some much-needed stability.
He throws a power fastball, splitter, and slider, which really fits in with the rest of the Mets starters.
Advanced metrics say Montas should give them 150+ innings and keep his ERA around 4.00. That kind of depth matters for a staff with guys like David Peterson and Jakob Junis.
The bullpen support from Edwin DÃaz, Emilio Pagán, and A.J. Minter could end up making a real difference for Montas.
Analytics even suggest Montas might allow fewer home runs at Citi Field than he did at his previous parks.
Some reports say the Mets might still look for more rotation help if Montas deals with injuries, and Jose Quintana’s name keeps coming up as an option.
Health and Training Updates
Montas’ health still plays a big role in shaping his 2025 outlook.
He’s put together a specialized training plan that focuses on shoulder maintenance and flexibility, especially after injuries kept him off the field before.
The Mets’ performance staff has teamed up with Montas during spring training. They tweak his between-starts routine to help him recover better.
He’s also started following new nutrition and sleep routines—honestly, it’s all about staying durable for the long season.
In his recent bullpen sessions, Montas has touched 95-96 mph with his fastball. That’s a good sign for his arm.
His splitter, which he really relies on, shows more movement now, at least according to the tracking data.
Still, there are concerns about a recent injury that could mess with his early-season availability.
If he stays healthy, some industry analysts see Montas as a bounce-back candidate who might actually deliver real value on his current contract.
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