Even before the season starts, Kodai Senga’s injury has exposed the unpleasant reality about the New York Mets’ rotation: It doesn’t have any elite starting pitchers.
To be cautious of their finances and give kids an opportunity, Mets decision-makers don’t have to settle for a rotation that Fangraphs forecasts to have the seventh-worst WAR (10.7) and 20th-ranked ERA (4.32). This is because they currently have a starting pitcher who is appropriate for their plan.
“The Mets should sign Jordan Montgomery,” The New York Post’s Joel Sherman said on “The Show” podcast Tuesday. “Because at this moment, I would argue that it works for their plan today and it works for their plan tomorrow.”
The Mets could have four free agent starting pitchers next offseason, and Montgomery won’t cost them a draft pick to sign. Sherman also explained in a column on Tuesday that Montgomery is a good fit for the Mets because they need quality, bulk innings, which their rotation of Senga (when he returns), Jose Quintana, Luis Severino, Adrian Houser, Tylor Megill, and young players isn’t guaranteed to provide.
David Stearns, president of baseball operations, declared he would be “opportunistic” when it came to free agents. Sherman mentioned Montgomery’s request for $172 million, or around seven years, but it seems likely that he has already lowered his demand. Might Montgomery offer the Mets and their richest owner, Steve Cohen, an opportunity that would be too good to refuse?
“I know the Mets say they’re not doing anything, but I think they’re talking about it behind the scenes,” The Post’s Jon Heyman said on the podcast, a comment that prompted Sherman to respond, “They’re definitely talking about it behind the scenes.”
The 31-year-old Montgomery, who spent the last seven seasons with the Texas Rangers winning a World Series, has a lifetime 3.68 ERA. In New York, where he played for the Yankees for more than five seasons, he also shown his ability to pitch.
However, similar to his previous team, the Mets appear hesitant to spend big money on a free agent (except from Yoshinobu Yamamoto) since they will be hit with 110% tax on any contract above the third luxury tax threshold. As of right now, $330 million is their CBT payroll, per Cot’s Contracts.