MLB Breaking: Yankees Close In On Deal To Sign $110 Million Pitcher With Blake Snell Off The Market

Jordan Montgomery is a free agent, and the New York Yankees are thought to be among the best teams to sign him, according to Erin Walsh of Bleacher Report. Gerrit Cole will be out of the Yankees lineup for “one to two months,” according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. The organization may make a move for Montgomery because it has been active in the starting pitcher market during the offseason.

Blake Snell and the Yankees were connected earlier in the offseason. Additionally, they proposed Dylan Cease to the Chicago White Sox. Snell and the San Francisco Giants reached a two-year, $62 million agreement on March 18.On March 13, Cease was transferred to the San Diego Padres. Walsh said that Montgomery would be a “decent consolation prize.”

Earlier in the offseason, the Yankees made Snell a last $150 million offer; however, Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY stated that the team “pulled their offer and declined to re-enter the sweepstakes.”

“Carlos Rodón, Marcus Stroman, Nestor Cortes—who was named the Opening Day starter—and Montgomery would be a good addition to a New York rotation,” observed Walsh.

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Jordan Montgomery Would Solidify the Yankees’ Rotation

Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports that Cole is experiencing edema and irritation of the nerves. It is a major blow that he was not included in the Yankees rotation to begin the season.

The 33-year-old placed second twice in his career before taking home his first Cy Young Award in 2023. Cole led the American League in innings pitched (209.0), record (15-4) and 2.53 ERA.

On opening day, Cortes will lead the Yankees off, followed by Rodón and Stroman. Cortes and Rodón have both recovered from seasons marred by injuries. Following a World Series victory, Montgomery started 32 games for the Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals in 2023. In Cole’s absence, he would give the rotation a seasoned arm.

Montgomery had a 3.20 ERA in 188.2 innings for the Cardinals and Rangers. However, Montgomery was a better pitcher after being traded to the Rangers on July 30. Montgomery had a 4-2 record with a 2.79 ERA on the Rangers. Montgomery was 3-1 in the postseason during the Rangers championship run.

Reuniting Montgomery With the Yankees

Montgomery was drafted by the Yankees in 2014. He made his club debut in 2017 and remained in New York until 2022. Midway through the season, the Yankees traded Montgomery to the Cardinals. In 98 games, 97 of which were starts, he recorded a 22–20 record, 3.94 ERA, and 1.23 WHIP while pitching for the Yankees. Montgomery, who suffered from recurrent elbow injuries, started 17 games over the course of three seasons, from 2018 to 2020.

Spotrac projects that Montgomery will sign a six-year, $110 million contract. Heyman claims that the 31-year-old might not be interested in joining the Yankees again.

“Jordan Montgomery, the top free agent still available, is even less certain that he wants to return to The Bronx, so the Yankees will continue to chase starting pitching, but their options are limited,” Heyman said.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Montgomery believes the Yankees may have given up on him when they dealt him to the Cardinals in 2022.

Walsh says that Montgomery’s primary landing destinations are the Rangers, the Boston Red Sox, and the Houston Astros.