Part 4/13:
Frankie Montas and AJ Mter were two notable players with options for the upcoming season. Montas, who opted into his $17 million salary, had little choice given the likelihood that no team would pay him that amount while he’s injured or unable to pitch in 2026. The podcast emphasizes that this was a business decision on Montas's part, and the Mets will likely recoup some insurance money—possibly around $14 million—thanks to the injury insurance policy.
Similarly, AJ Mter, who had an $11 million player option, opted in after missing most of the previous season. His effectiveness when healthy justifies his choice, giving the Mets a veteran presence in the bullpen, especially as they plan to rebuild and retool for next season.