Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets.
Another ill-fated New York tenure is over for Frankie Montas .
The Mets designated Montas for assignment Tuesday, requesting waivers for his unconditional release.
Montas underwent Tommy John surgery in September, knocking him out for all of 2026 , so the Mets freed up his spot on the 40-man roster, though they remain on the hook for the $17 million left on his contract.
The 32-year-old Montas, who signed a two-year, $34 million contract last offseason, ended up pitching in nine games (seven starts) for the Mets and posting a 6.28 ERA across 38 ²/₃ innings. It proved to be the same number of games Montas appeared in for the Yankees from 2022-2023, with injuries sabotaging his time in The Bronx as well.
Montas missed the start of 2025 with a lat strain that he suffered in spring training and then after he returned in June, was eventually demoted to the bullpen before getting injured again.
The Mets released Frankie Montas on Tuesday. Robert Sabo for NY Post
The DFA cleared a spot on the 40-man roster for the Mets to add outfield prospect Nick Morabito, protecting him from next month's Rule 5 draft . The 22-year-old speedster spent this season at Double-A Binghamton, batting .273 with 49 steals and a .734 OPS in 118 games.
In a surprise to no one, Edwin Díaz officially declined the qualifying offer ahead of Tuesday's deadline, passing up a one-year, $22.025 million deal to pursue a bigger contract on the open market.
The Mets have already begun discussions with Díaz, who is the top free agent closer after pitching to a 1.63 ERA with 28 saves this season. He said last week there is a "50-50" chance of whether he would return after opting out of the final two years and $37 million left on his contract.
If Díaz signs elsewhere, the Mets will at least recoup a compensatory draft pick.
"We would enjoy to stay [with the Mets], but at the end of the day, we don't know what they are thinking," Díaz said last week. "We have got our role. My agency wants to do the best job, and I just listen to my agent."
