The New York Yankees are being considered as one of the prime destinations for free agent Jordan Montgomery, as reported by Erin Walsh of Bleacher Report. With Gerrit Cole sidelined for “one to two months,” as noted by Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Yankees have been actively exploring options in the starting pitcher market throughout the offseason, making them potential suitors for Montgomery.
During the offseason, the Yankees were linked to pitchers like Blake Snell and Dylan Cease. However, Snell ultimately signed a two-year, $62 million deal with the San Francisco Giants, and Cease was traded to the San Diego Padres. Walsh describes Montgomery as a “decent consolation prize” for the Yankees.
In light of Cole’s absence, Montgomery’s addition to the Yankees’ rotation, which already includes Nestor Cortes, Carlos Rodón, and Marcus Stroman, would provide stability, according to Walsh.
Montgomery, who recently won a World Series Championship with the Texas Rangers, demonstrated his value with a 3.20 ERA in 188.2 innings pitched for both the Cardinals and the Rangers in 2023. However, he performed even better after being traded to the Rangers, boasting a 2.79 ERA.
Having previously played for the Yankees from 2017 to 2022, Montgomery’s return would mark a reunion with the team that drafted him in 2014. Despite being projected for a lucrative six-year, $110 million deal, there are doubts about his interest in returning to the Yankees, as Heyman suggests.
According to Rosenthal, Montgomery may feel that the Yankees gave up on him when they traded him to the Cardinals in 2022. Consequently, the Red Sox, Astros, and Rangers are also considered as potential landing spots for Montgomery.