The New York Mets exceeded expectations last season, winning 89 games and securing a Wild Card spot. They came remarkably close to a stunning return to the World Series—something they hadn’t achieved since 2015 and had only done five times since their 1962 expansion—falling just two wins short of the feat.
However, their magical run had its limits. After trailing the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-1 in the NL Championship Series, the Mets fought back to force a Game 6 but ultimately couldn’t contain the eventual World Series champions, losing 10-5.
Determined to build on their success in 2025, the Mets wasted no time in strengthening their roster. They signed right-hander Frankie Montas to a two-year, $34 million deal before making the biggest move of the offseason—landing superstar slugger Juan Soto with a massive 13-year, $765 million contract.
Mets Fortunes Darkened as Spring Rolled Around
The Mets weren’t finished with their December spending spree just yet. Shortly after Christmas, they secured a key piece of their rotation by re-signing starter Sean Manaea to a three-year, $75 million contract. The 32-year-old played a pivotal role in the Mets’ late-season playoff push, delivering a 3.40 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 127 strikeouts over 124 1/3 innings from July 1 through the end of their postseason run.
However, the Mets’ optimism took a hit as soon as spring training began. On February 17, manager Carlos Mendoza announced that Frankie Montas had suffered a “high-grade lat strain” and would be sidelined from throwing for six to eight weeks.
Even after returning to the mound, Montas would need a full Spring Training to build up his strength, meaning the Mets likely won’t see their big offseason pitching acquisition in action until at least June.
As if that weren’t enough, Manaea then sustained a right oblique strain, further depleting the rotation. His recovery timeline projects a return no sooner than late April.
With these setbacks, Mendoza recently stated he was “close” to finalizing the starting rotation. But with Montas potentially missing half the season and Manaea also sidelined, the big question remains—will the Mets seek reinforcements to fill the void in their pitching staff?
Trade Would Bring in World Series Champ
A potential trade proposal from Newsweek sportswriter Zach Presnell on Monday could offer the Mets a temporary fix for their rotation until Montas is ready to return. The suggested target is 32-year-old Jordan Montgomery, a former Yankees draft pick who earned a World Series ring with the Texas Rangers in 2023.
-1)
The challenge, however, lies in Montgomery’s contract. After earning $25 million from the Diamondbacks last season while posting a disappointing 6.23 ERA over just 117 innings, he exercised his player option, meaning he is now owed $22.5 million for 2025. The Diamondbacks have made it clear they are looking to offload that salary, though it’s unlikely the Mets would be willing to take on the full amount.
According to The Arizona Republic’s Nick Piecoro, Arizona is seeking a trade partner willing to absorb around $13 million of Montgomery’s contract.
For the Mets, the appeal of such a deal is that taking on that financial commitment could allow them to land Montgomery without giving up any major prospects. If he can rediscover the form he showed during his brief but impressive stint with Texas—where he posted a 2.79 ERA, 1.094 WHIP, and 58 strikeouts against just 13 walks in 67 2/3 innings—he could provide much-needed stability to their injury-riddled rotation.
