Reds sign former Yankees pitcher who is keen to join Practice Today
The Cincinnati Reds moved to sign free agent right-handed pitcher Frankie Montas on Tuesday after a brief, disappointing run in New York.
The Cincinnati Reds made a move on Tuesday for a former New York Yankees pitcher. The Reds signed 30-year-old right-handed free agent Frankie Montas to a deal.
According to MLB Trade Rumors, Montas and the Reds reportedly agreed to a one-year contract featuring a mutual option
The Reds announced that they have signed righty Frankie Montas to a one-year deal with a mutual option for 2025,” they said. “It’s reportedly a $16MM deal for Montas, who is represented by the Boras Corporation. He’ll make $14MM this year with a $2MM buyout on a $20MM mutual option.”
Montas had a disappointing run with the New York Yankees. The Yankees acquired Montas in a trade with the Oakland Athletics in the 2022 season. He didn’t pan out well due to injury and performance issues. But we’ve seen plenty of times in recent memory that leaving New York works out. Montas, in theory, wouldn’t have to look too far. When the Reds acquired right-hander Sonny Gray, he also flamed out with the Yankees (and coincidentally also was an Oakland Athletic). Gray performed well and has turned his career around, excelling this past season with the Minnesota Twins.
The 29-year-old Bader batted .232 with seven homers and 40 RBIs during an injury-plagued season with the Yankees and Reds. He had a .622 OPS in 98 games and a career-best 20 stolen bases in 23 attempts.
He became a free agent in November after completing a $10.4 million, two-year contract he signed with St. Louis.
Bader is a .243 career hitter with 59 home runs and a .706 OPS in seven big league seasons with the Cardinals, Yankees and Reds. Injuries have hampered him, but he offers speed and elite defense in center when healthy, along with an .824 career OPS against left-handed pitching.
With the Mets’ pitching staff a major question mark, new president of baseball operations David Stearns has emphasized defense when adding depth this offseason. The team signed utility infielder Joey Wendle to a one-year contract and obtained athletic outfielder Tyrone Taylor in a trade with Milwaukee that also netted right-hander Adrian Houser.
Bader’s arrival could shift Brandon Nimmo from center field to a corner spot, at least part-time. All-Star right fielder Starling Marte, who is 35, played only 86 games last season following double groin surgery and posted a measly .625 OPS, so New York is not exactly sure what to expect from him in 2024.
