The New York Mets designated right-hander Frankie Montas for assignment on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, ending a nine-appearance stint with the club. The move was procedural, as Montas underwent Tommy John surgery at the end of the regular season and will miss all of 2026. He exercised his $17 million player option on the final season of his two-year, $34 million contract, and the Mets remain responsible for the full amount. With his departure, he will no longer rehab at Citi Field or at the team’s Spring Training complex.
The decision coincided with the deadline to protect eligible minor-league players from the Rule 5 draft, prompting the club to open a 40-man roster spot. In a corresponding move that same Tuesday, the Mets selected outfielder Nick Morabito, the organization’s No. 16 prospect, to the roster.
- The Mets designated Frankie Montas for assignment, leaving the team responsible for the final $17 million on his contract.
- Montas had Tommy John surgery on Sept. 9 and is expected to miss the entire 2026 season.
- The transaction allowed the Mets to add Nick Morabito to the 40-man roster before the Dec. 10 Rule 5 draft.
Montas’ Delayed Debut, Limited Availability, and Final Season Numbers
Montas’ year with the Mets began with a lat strain in spring training, which delayed his debut until June 24. He went on to make nine appearances, including seven starts and two relief outings, posting a 6.28 ERA and a 1.603 WHIP. His last appearance came on Aug. 15, after an elbow issue cut his season short and ultimately led to surgery.
Before joining the Mets, Montas pitched for the Chicago White Sox (2015), Oakland (2017–22), the New York Yankees (2022–23), Cincinnati (2024), Milwaukee (2024), and the Mets, compiling a 47–48 career record with a 4.20 ERA across 10 major-league seasons.
Betting Market Reaction to Montas’ Exit and Mets Outlook
Sportsbooks and betting reports list several odds connected to the Mets. FanDuel lists the Mets at +1100 to win the 2026 World Series, alongside their 83–79 record and the fact that they missed the playoffs. Additional listings show the Mets with odds of +1100, +1400, and +1500 across various books for the World Series, placing them behind top teams. DraftKings also lists the Mets in the +1400 to +1500 range.
Covers listed the Mets at the end of the 2025 season at +20000 to win the World Series, +10000 to win the National League, and +5500 to win the NL East. An ESPN Bet note reported that the Mets were 2–13 in their last 15 games, and their World Series odds shifted from +800 on June 12 to +1500 by Aug. 15.
BetMGM previously reported that New York’s National League pennant odds moved from +700 to +400 after an offseason move. FanDuel’s opening 2025 odds listed the Mets at +700, and a midseason odds update listed them at +1400. Additional outlets listed the Mets at +1200, +1400, and +1500 among other teams. These odds reflected their performance before and after the 2025 season and show them placed behind the Dodgers, Yankees, Phillies, and other top clubs in various listings.
Morabito Added to Protect Against Rule 5 Draft Selection
By removing Montas from the roster, the Mets selected the contract of Nick Morabito, a 22-year-old outfielder who was a second-round pick in 2022. Morabito spent the entire 2025 season with Double-A Binghamton, where he hit .273 with six home runs, 59 RBIs, and 49 stolen bases in 60 attempts, contributing to 108 steals over the past two seasons.
He also excelled in the Arizona Fall League, posting a .362/.450/.464 slash line with 16 stolen bases in 17 games. Morabito is ranked as the No. 13 prospect in the Mets’ system in earlier scouting references and appears on the 40-man roster as part of the team’s preparation for the Dec. 10 Rule 5 draft.
