Top 3 best operations for New York Mets to replace injured Frankie Montas

MLB Trade Rumors: Top 3 best operations for New York Mets to replace injured Frankie Montas

With starter Frankie Montas sidelined, the New York Mets have sustained their first spring training injury. Due to a history of injuries, the free-agency addition will be out for six to eight weeks. The rotation depth of the Mets is insufficient to withstand a protracted Montas injury. In order to complete their rotation, where should they search for a starter? Even that option isn't horrible, and we'll rank them from best to worst.

Juan Soto signed the biggest contract in North American sports history during the Mets' record offseason. However, following a fantastic season from an experienced bunch the previous year, they had to replace nearly their whole rotation. Although Luis Severino is with the Athletics, Sean Manaea is back.

Their Severino substitute, Montas, will now be sidelined for some time. They might bring up a prospect or add an arm through free agency or trades.

This offseason, which way should the Mets go? The choices are listed below, in order of preference.

The best but least likely option for the Mets is Dylan Cease.

The San Diego Padres missed a large portion of the MLB offseason due to ownership issues. However, they signed pitcher Nick Pivetta once everything was resolved and Peter Siedler's brother took over. They could move Dylan Cease this offseason in order to recover some prospects, as he will be eligible for unrestricted free agency following this season. 

It would be a great method to replace Montas, and the Mets are in a position to make the trade.

Although it is the least likely of the three possibilities available to the Mets, this is the best approach to make their club better. This would not only address the loss of Montas, but it would also address a significant need. They have a good rotation, but they don't have a top-tier ace. They have nothing to do with Max Fried, Blake Snell, or Corbin Burnes. But if they swing a trade for Cease, they might surprise everyone.

Christian Scott or Brandon Sproat are call-up prospects.

Two of the Mets' starting pitchers, who were drafted and groomed, are getting close to playing in Major League Baseball.

Twenty-four-year-old Brandon Sproat excelled at two of the three minor league levels he participated in past season. After six games with A Brooklyn, he recorded a 1.07 ERA, which led to a promotion to AA. He was moved to AAA Syracuse because of his 2.45 ERA in 11 games with Binghamton at that level. With a 7.53 ERA in seven games, however, the glory ended there.

In nine appearances during his MLB debut last year, Scott was decent. With three wins in nine outings and a 2.76 ERA, his AAA stats are far better than Sproat's. Scott has the early lead, so this might be a heated competition for the last position. One underappreciated aspect of the David Stearns/Steve Cohen era is the Mets' robust pipeline. 

There is a familiar face that the Mets can invite back.

In terms of the Mets rotation's long-term prospects, veteran Jose Quintana is the weakest choice. He is a free agent who has not been selected by any team after playing with the Amazins for two years. He would be cheap for just this year and has had success in the organization. Quintana might return sooner rather than later after the Mets had a fantastic postseason run the previous season.

Only if Scott and Sproat fall short of expectations during spring training might this occur. To maintain a stable rotation for the duration of Soto's costly contract, the Mets will need to develop both of those players. Therefore, it's okay if this season marks the debut of one of the young players in the rotation. However, if they are not prepared, insert Quintana into the lineup and prepare for Montas' return later in the season.