If Major League Baseball’s spring free agency is like a game of musical chairs. It seems like there's only one spot left, but many teams might need to fill it. This is a big problem for the Yankees.
The player in question is left-handed pitcher Jordan Montgomery. Despite performing well in last year’s postseason and helping the Rangers reach the 2023 World Series championship, he is still a free agent.
The Yankees are in a tough spot with ace Gerrit Cole out due to an elbow injury. They need to decide whether to find a new pitcher or stick with their current lineup. Cole's injury is nerve-related, won’t need surgery, and he is expected to return in early June.
The Yankees can't afford to start the season without another good starting pitcher. This is where Montgomery comes in – he's their best remaining option. According to a report from the New York Post, Montgomery and the Yankees are at least talking. The Yankees would have preferred to trade for Dylan Cease, but didn't want to give up the required assets. They also considered signing Blake Snell, but didn't want to pay the high tax needed to sign him. The Rangers signed Michael Lorenzen, further narrowing the options for the Yankees. Meanwhile, other teams, like the, are also interested in Montgomery at a reduced price.
The issue here is the price. Montgomery's asking price has been too high for the Yankees, who are not willing to pay big money for a pitcher they traded away in 2022.
Montgomery has improved since leaving New York, with good performances for the Cardinals and Rangers. His camp is comparing him to Aaron Nola, who got a $172 million contract over seven years. However, the market seems to favor Nola more.
Jordan Montgomery, a pitcher seeking a $172 million contract, has improved since leaving New York.
But price has been the problem here. Otherwise, Montgomery would be under contract already. The Yankees don’t think the Montgomery they remember, who was 22-20 in 97 starts over six years before he was traded to the Cardinals in 2022, is someone they want to pay big money.
improved since leaving New York Astros, Cubs and Red Sox Montgomery, though, has
. He went 6-3 with a 3.11 ERA for the Cardinals at the end of 2022, and went 10-11 with a 3.20 ERA for the Cards and Rangers last year, before his postseason heroics (3-1, 2.90).
According to Heyman, Montgomery’s camp compares him to Aaron Nola, who got $172 million over seven years. And while there’s a decent case to be made — Montgomery has actually been better since 2021, and was even better in the postseason — the market loved Nola more.
The Yankees and others haven't shown much love for Montgomery. However, both sides might not have any better choices. At least they are having discussions. The Yankees are considering whether to bring in another starting pitcher, and they are at least having discussions with free agent Jordan Montgomery.. He went 6-3 with a 3.11 ERA for the Cardinals at the end of 2022, and went 10-11 with a 3.20 ERA for the Cards and Rangers last year, before his postseason heroics (3-1, 2.90).
Montgomery cam in expecting the same money as the Phillies’ Aaron Nola, according to Heyman: “Montgomery’s camp compares him to Aaron Nola, who got $172 million over seven years. And while there’s a decent case to be made — Montgomery has actually been better since 2021, and was even better in the postseason — the market loved Nola more.”
The Yankees, nor anyone else, has loved Montgomery all that much. But both sides could be out of other palatable options. At least they’re talking.
