Former Yankee just jammed Mets big time with expected contract decision

It pains you to see your little brother make the same mistake you once made. You think you'd serve as the cautionary tale, though their closeted admiration of you makes them all the more inclined to follow in your footsteps, even if they've already seen that the story ends badly. That's how New York Yankees fans feel towards New York Mets fans right now.

The Mets played a dangerous game, trying their hand and the en vogue trend of signing players coming off injury or down years to "pillow contracts"  — two-year deals with an opt-out after the first season, and getting into bed with ex-Yankee Frankie Montas.

For their troubles, they got 38 2/3 innings of 6.28 ERA ball and surgery that will knock him out for 2026. Now, Montas has officially used his power to opt in for next season, saddling the Mets with the full brunt of his $34 million contract.

Yankees fans can only laugh at the Mets' misfortune as Frankie Montas opts in to the second year of his contract

Of course, the Yankees knew this would play out this way because they lived it. When they acquired Montas back in 2022, they thought they were getting a potential front-end starter with a couple of years of team control. Montas had a 3.18 ERA with the then-Oakland Athletics at the time of the deadline deal.

Montas would throw just 39 2/3 innings with a 6.35 ERA down the stretch in 2022, yet somehow his 2023 follow-up was worse. Montas pitched just 1 1/3 innings thanks to a right shoulder injury. At the end, his tenure would go down as one of the most disappointing for a trade deadline acquisition.

For the Mets, this cuts doubly deep. Not only is Montas not the guy they were hoping for, but neither were Sean Manaea and Kodai Senga in 2025. Former Yankee Clay Holmes' transition to the rotation wasn't as rocky as it could have been, but by season's twilight Mets fans were calling for him to be sent to the bullpen.

The Mets desperately need an ace, maybe a No. 2, and then some depth to fill out their rotation this offseason. Montas stands in the way of that both in the roster spot he occupies and the chunk of the budget his salary eats up.

Despite their owner Steve Cohen's deep pockets, they'll have to contend with the fact that their current level of spending is unsustainable over the long haul without a dramatic increase in revenue. That might not hit them this offseason, but it will certainly be a consideration as they negotiate long-term contracts with free-agent aces.

Maybe next time, little brother will take heed and learn from big bro's failures, and not insist on following in his footsteps no matter where he goes.