Reigning Nationwide League Cy Younger winner Blake Snell lastly agreed to a reported two-year, $62 million contract with the San Francisco Giants on Monday, leaving Jordan Montgomery as maybe the largest remaining free-agent pitcher nonetheless accessible.
Montgomery gained the 2023 World Collection with the Texas Rangers and is coming off a stable season. He posted a 3.30 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 166 strikeouts in 188.2 innings throughout 32 begins between the Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals.
The 31-year-old veteran can be an honest comfort prize for any workforce hoping to contend in 2024, so here is a take a look at his high touchdown spots with Opening Day proper across the nook.
The New York Yankees might use some rotation assist in the wake of Gerrit Cole’s elbow harm.
Cole is anticipated to be sidelined for one-to-two months because of the elbow ailment, and isn’t anticipated to wish surgical procedure after assembly with esteemed orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angles.
The reigning American League Cy Younger winner informed reporters earlier this week that he’s coping with nerve irritation and edema.
Montgomery can be a stable addition to a New York rotation that additionally consists of Nestor Cortes, who was named the Opening Day starter, Carlos Rodón and Marcus Stroman.
The Yankees are additionally already conversant in Montgomery, who was drafted by the franchise in 2014 and spent the primary 5 and a half seasons of his profession in New York earlier than being traded to the Cardinals.
Throughout his tenure with the Yankees between 2017-2022, he posted a 22-20 report, 3.94 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP in 98 video games (97 begins).
The Boston Purple Sox should not projected to have a postseason-worthy 2024 marketing campaign amid a lackluster offseason, however they desperately want pitching assist in the event that they hope to keep away from one other last-place AL East end.
After buying and selling Chris Sale to the Atlanta Braves this winter, Boston signed Lucas Giolito to a two-year deal. Nevertheless, he underwent surgical procedure to restore a torn UCL and is anticipated to overlook all the 2024 season.
The Purple Sox now boast a rotation headlined by Brayan Bello, Nick Pivetta, Kutter Crawford and Garrett Whitlock. Tanner Houck and Josh Winckowski might additionally see some begins this yr.
Montgomery has been linked to Boston all through the offseason.
Nevertheless, WEEI’s Rob Bradford reported final month that whereas the Purple Sox are “prioritizing” Montgomery over different free-agent pitchers, the franchise is “nonetheless ready for worth to come back down.”
With Snell off the market and groups getting determined because the season nears, his worth might solely rise.
Jon Heyman of the New York Submit reported earlier this month that Montgomery and the Purple Sox have been nonetheless in touch a couple of deal, however he added Boston seems “disinclined to the seven-year deal Montgomery seeks.”
Whereas Montgomery touchdown in Boston appears unlikely given curiosity from different contenders, the Purple Sox cannot be dominated out as a vacation spot amid the continued buzz linking him to the franchise.
The Houston Astros have been among the many groups reportedly after Blake Snell this offseason, however now that he is off the desk, Montgomery may very well be an choice.
Houston is aiming to achieve the World Collection for the second time in three seasons, but when that is going to occur, the franchise must improve its rotation behind Justin Verlander and Framber Valdez.
Cristian Javier, José Urquidy and Lance McCullers Jr. are anticipated to spherical out the rotation.
Nevertheless, Urquidy, Verlander, McCullers and Luis Garcia will start the 2024 season on the injured record, which is not a great signal. The Astros are in clear want of a pitcher given the accidents, and Montgomery is the very best accessible.
If Houston does not add a pitcher previous to Opening Day, the primary month of the season may very well be tough because the Astros are anticipated to face the Rangers, Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays to open the yr.
Montgomery performed a key position in Texas’ 2023 World Collection run, and the Rangers would boast among the best rotations in baseball in the event that they have been to convey him again.
Nathan Eovaldi, Jon Grey, Andrew Heaney, Dane Dunning and Cody Bradford will open the 2024 season because the workforce’s beginning rotation, however it should later get reinforcements within the type of ace Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer and Tyler Mahle coming back from accidents.
Montgomery was spectacular in his lone stint with the Rangers final season, posting a 4-2 report, 2.79 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 58 strikeouts in 67.2 innings throughout 11 begins. He was simply nearly as good through the 2023 postseason, recording a 4-2 report with a 2.90 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 31 innings throughout six video games (5 begins).
The problem with Montgomery returning to Texas is that the Rangers have already got a fairly first rate rotation that can get even higher with the return of star gamers from harm. They don’t seem to be determined for a pitcher.
That mentioned, a reunion cannot be dominated out, particularly if he continues to go unsigned.