Mets reportedly DFA'ing iconic Yankees bust adds hilarious wrinkle to spending spree

We truly did not care about the New York Mets' financial flexing until their fans used their entire lost 2024 season as verbal preparation for their eventual addition of Juan Soto, then gloated so loudly in the aftermath of his defection that it could be heard from the International Space Station.

Never mind that the team seemingly forgot to supplement Soto with top-tier pitching or preferred to "fix" busted aces rather than import guarantees. Never mind that "Clay Holmes the Starter" was flawed at best and foolhardy at worst. They got Soto, and that was all that mattered to them. And, since that moment, they've had to weather slings, arrows, and one of the worst regular season collapses in league history.

From the beginning of last offseason forward, Yankees fans' "Ill Will" counter was definitely dialed up from "No" to "Some". 2025 was probably more than enough payback, but then again ... you never know what they'll say next. And you have to take the wins where you can.

On Tuesday, word leaked that the Mets reportedly plan to DFA one of last winter's weirdest splurges, right-hander Frankie Montas.

Mets reportedly DFAing former Yankees trade deadline splurge Frankie Montas

Yankee fans warned them this was not the way to get to the promised land. Yankee fans definitely warned them that earmarking $34 million for Montas over two years was the quickest route possible towards Steve Cohen actively declaring, "Ok, you know what? I do have limits."

But they wouldn't listen. They swore David Stearns, the ultimate pitcher whisperer, couldn't possibly have been wrong. He had a Montas fix in mind. He read the market perfectly. He got uncomfortable precisely because he was so comfortable with his decision.

This round goes to the Yankee fans. Montas, rarely healthy and inflated by the expansive foul territory in Oakland, posted a 6.35 ERA down the stretch with the Yankees in 2022, then saw his regular season end with an injury that didn't eliminate him from the playoffs, but should've. Instead, he returned to give up a solo home run in a single inning of ALCS work in Houston, then had surgery performed in the winter that limited him to 1 1/3 meaningless frames before free agency.

He then defected to Cincinnati, where he became the Reds' 2024 Opening Day starter. He was dealt to Milwaukee, another midwest pitching hub. He posted ERAs of 5.01 and 4.55, respectively, in those spots. And that's when the Mets paid him.

You're not going to believe this, but a return to the pressures of New York did not help. One 6.28 ERA in seven starts later, plus a long-term injury, and the Mets decided they'd seen enough ahead of Year 2. Maybe the next time they pay the largest contract in MLB history, they'll pair it with a complete offseason. Until then, Yankee fans have a fairly significant rebuttal to their bragging.