Mets sign ultimate Yankees injury bust to $34 million contract in latest baffler

The Yankees stared at last offseason's Mets transaction log and scoffed, saying, "Luis Severino? We dare you to sign a more injured Yankee to an expensive pact."

And the Mets said, "Alright, bet."

One year after rehabilitating Severino somewhat (he had his ups and downs) and reading the pitching market correctly/reaping the rewards of his declined qualifying offer, the Mets are trying it again, to an even costlier degree. Late Sunday night, New York announced they'd signed Frankie Montas to a two-year, $34 million deal, a move that will surely eliminate them from the Juan Soto chase.

And if you got certified heart palpitations before you reached the portion of the Jeff Passan tweet that said "Mets," you're not alone.

Mets sign former New York Yankees right-hander Frankie Montas

Last year, it felt as if the Yankees were likely to sign Montas to a bounce back one-year deal after a mostly lost season-and-a-half, post-trade. After all, they rushed him back for a final-series cameo, and he had nothing but kind things to say about the Yankees' rehab process.

Then, somewhat stunningly, he signed a one-year, $16 million deal in Cincinnati, of all places. The dream was dead. Sure, it would've been an interesting flyer at $7-8 million for a potential All-Star, but double that? Montas went on to start on Opening Day for Cincy, scuffle to a 5.01 ERA in 19 starts, then head to Milwaukee midseason.

The "I Can Fix Him!" Brewers tried to pull an Andrew Heaney and correct flaws on the fly in August and September. It somewhat worked? Montas rebounded with 70 Ks in 57 1/3 innings with the Brew Crew, but still posted a 4.55 ERA and exited stage right.

The Mets saw last year's jaw-dropping deal and 2024's confusing body of work and said, "Yes, add another million per year and an extra season."

They spent 2024 rehabilitating both Severino and Sean Manaea, who will likely be fleeing elsewhere on longer-term deals. Odds are they'll be able to maximize Montas, and probably weren't thrilled to see both of their one-year projects leave this offseason without a guaranteed second year.

Still ... for an offseason breaking of the ice ... this one's really ... not the kind of sandbox most teams will want to play in. There are safer ways to splash your cash -- or maybe, given the early rumors surrounding Montas and Nick Pivetta types, the deals are only on the offensive end this time around.