Yankees Interested in Reunion with Jordan Montgomery

Yankees Considering Montogmery as Offseason Signing

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Yankees have been looking at Jordan Montgomery as a potential addition to their rotation. It appears that the club is particularly interested in finding the right targets for their rotation.

Previous reports have linked the Yankees to several other pitchers, including Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Frankie Montas, Yariel Rodriguez, and Aaron Nola. It's worth noting that the Yankees may also have some level of interest in Shohei Ohtani, despite knowing he won't pitch in 2024.

Montgomery's History with the Yankees

Montgomery started his professional career with the Yankees after being drafted in the fourth round in 2014. He made his MLB debut in 2017 and quickly established himself as a solid member of the starting rotation. Over his time with the Yankees, Montgomery posted a 3.94 ERA, a 22.68% strikeout rate, and a 6.93% walk rate.

However, in a move that became controversial, Montgomery was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals at the 2022 trade deadline. The trade brought Harrison Bader to New York, but Bader's time with the Yankees was less successful due to injuries and inconsistent performance.

Montgomery's Success after Leaving the Yankees

Since leaving the Yankees, Montgomery's performance has continued to shine. After a brief stint with the Cardinals, he was traded again to the Texas Rangers. In Texas, Montgomery played a crucial role in the team's World Series run, posting impressive numbers in both the regular season and the postseason.

At this point, Montgomery is ranked sixth on MLB Trade Rumors' list of the top 50 free agents. He is projected to sign a significant contract, potentially surpassing the six-year, $150 million estimate. Despite his past Tommy John surgery and being six months older than Aaron Nola, Montgomery's value remains high.

Furthermore, because he was not eligible for the qualifying offer due to the midseason trade, teams interested in signing Montgomery would not have to give up any draft picks or international pool money as compensation.

Potential Obstacles in Negotiations

While a reunion between Montgomery and the Yankees seems plausible, there may be some obstacles to overcome. The Yankees' General Manager, Brian Cashman, might view bringing Montgomery back as a way to rectify the controversial Bader trade and prove his miscalculations about Montgomery's potential as a postseason starter wrong.

However, it's also possible that Montgomery wants to move on from an organization that once deemed him expendable. He may prefer to join a new team altogether or return to one of his former clubs in Texas or St. Louis. Ultimately, negotiations will determine whether the Yankees and Montgomery can come to an agreement.