Frankie Montas Speaks, Jose Quintana "Very Interested in Reunion" per SI.com

Mets news!

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We spoke earlier this week about taking things day by day. In this game, it’s paramount. As evidenced by the sudden six-to-eight-week shelving of newly-signed right-hander Frankie Montas, any seemingly peachy-keen situation can turn on a dime. In baseball, it always has and it always will.

After coming to Flushing on a two-year, $34 million deal this winter (player option after 2025), all parties involved were rightfully intrigued by what Montas could bring to the table for New York.

Montas felt some soreness after his first bullpen session of camp early this week. He informed the team the following morning and got some imaging done, which revealed a high-grade lat strain (had a PRP injection Tuesday per Mets manager Carlos Mendoza), and here we are.

The 31-year-old relies on a wide arsenal of pitches, heavily utilizing a cloak of deception via tunneling and, of course, showcasing his mighty splitter. Flying under the wing of Jeremy Hefner and the team’s revamped R&D staff, many were hoping that Montas’ repertoire could be adjusted and refined even further.

Now, and for the foreseeable future, the intrigue and excitement around Montas’ arrival will remain intact.

“[There’s] definitely a lot of frustration because I was feeling really good over the winter. I had a smooth offseason, a healthy offseason,” Montas told reporters Wednesday. “Just looking forward to going through this rehab process […] because when I come back I want to be ready to go and be ready to help.”

The Mets have layers of depth starters to plug into Mendoza’s rotation. This is kinda what David Stears does, folks.

The logical pivot would be Tylor Megill, who seems to find himself in this position nearly every season. New addition Griffin Canning (4.78 ERA over 508 MLB innings with LAA; 2nd-round pick in 2017 Draft) and 2024 trade deadline acquisition Paul Blackburn (on IL from August 23 on due to what was confirmed as a spinal fluid leak; yikes) will surely be in the mix.

Mendoza noted earlier this week that José Buttó would geared up towards being a reliever, so he’s off the board. He also told reporters Max Kranick would be stretched out this spring, however, he’d likely be used as an innings guy coming out of the bullpen.

Pat Ragazzo of SI.com reported late Wednesday that former Mets left-hander and 2024 postseason warthog Jose Quintana would be “very interested in a reunion”. This would be a very interesting addition, considering the familiarity among both player and team, plus the boatload of goodwill left over from the veteran southpaw’s terrific fall showing last season (what Dodgers game? I do not recall..).

However the Mets choose to navigate this bump in the road, they have options. Capable ones. That’s all you can ask for.