CINCINNATI – In a significant move to strengthen their pitching rotation, the Cincinnati Reds have announced the acquisition of free agent right-handed pitcher Frankie Montas. The signing, confirmed by Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall, sees Montas joining the team on a one-year contract valued at $14 million for the 2024 season. The deal also includes a $20 million mutual option for 2025, alongside a $2 million team buyout.
Montas, who celebrated his 31st birthday on March 21, has been a notable figure in Major League Baseball (MLB), particularly remembered for his impressive 2021 season with the Oakland Athletics. That year, he finished sixth in the Baseball Writers’ Association of America’s (BBWAA) Cy Young Award voting, compiling a 13-9 record with a 3.37 ERA across 32 starts. His consistency was remarkable, as he allowed three earned runs or fewer in 29 of those 32 starts and pitched six or more innings in 21 games.
From 2018 to 2022, Montas boasted a 3.70 ERA, the fifth-lowest in the American League among pitchers with a minimum of 500.0 innings pitched. This impressive statistic places him in the company of elite pitchers like Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole, Shane Bieber, and Framber Valdez.
However, Montas’ recent career has been marred by injury. The Dominican Republic native missed the first 160 games of the 2023 season with the New York Yankees due to a right shoulder surgery in February. His return was gradual, starting with two rehab outings with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, followed by a single scoreless relief appearance for the Yankees on September 30 against Kansas City.
Montas, who began his MLB career with the Chicago White Sox in 2015, spent six seasons with the Athletics before being traded to the Yankees in a six-player deal on August 1, 2022. His postseason experience includes appearances in three games with the Athletics in 2020 and the Yankees in 2022.
Nick Krall expressed confidence in Montas’ abilities, stating, “We are excited to add a pitcher of Frankie’s caliber to our staff. We are confident he will return to the form that made him one of baseball’s best pitchers before he suffered the shoulder injury.”
To accommodate Montas on the Reds’ roster, catcher Austin Wynns has been designated for assignment. The Reds’ decision to bring in Montas reflects their commitment to enhancing their pitching staff and their belief in his ability to regain his top form. This acquisition could prove pivotal for the Reds as they prepare for the 2024 season, adding depth and experience to their pitching rotation.
