The New York Yankees have been active in seeking starting pitchers this offseason. Gerrit Cole, the reigning Cy Young Award winner, is expected to be sidelined for “one to two months,” as reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
According to MLB Insider Jim Bowden, the Yankees are still in the running for Jordan Montgomery. They were previously in talks for Blake Snell and made an offer for Dylan Cease, although Snell signed with the San Francisco Giants and Cease was traded to the San Diego Padres.
Montgomery’s market is gaining momentum, with multiple teams offering him long-term deals. Bowden suggests that the Baltimore Orioles, under new ownership, could be a potential destination for Montgomery.
Despite the Yankees’ interest, Montgomery, aged 31, might not be keen on returning to the team, per Jon Heyman. There’s a perception that the Yankees may have lost faith in Montgomery after trading him to the Cardinals in 2022.
Montgomery’s addition would strengthen the Yankees’ rotation, particularly with Cole sidelined due to nerve inflammation. In 2023, Montgomery made 32 starts for the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers, contributing to the Rangers’ World Series win. He posted a 3.20 ERA overall, but his performance notably improved after joining the Rangers mid-season.
Currently, the Yankees’ rotation is led by Nester Cortes, who will step up as the opening day starter in Cole’s absence, with Marcus Stroman and Carlos Rodón following suit. Both Cortes and Rodón, dealing with injuries in 2023, will now play crucial roles while Cole recuperates.
