In the realm of potential baseball transactions, the prospect of Jordan Montgomery returning to the Texas Rangers or rejoining the New York Yankees has been a topic of discussion, but ESPN’s Jeff Passan argues that the New York Mets should seize the opportunity to bring him back to the Big Apple.
Mets could sign a former Yankee
The Mets find themselves in need of additional starting pitching for the 2024 season, with only two players currently secured in the rotation. Acknowledging this gap, President of Baseball Operations David Stearns has openly expressed the team’s pursuit of bolstering their pitching staff. Passan contends that Montgomery could be the ideal solution, describing him as the “perfect transaction” for the Mets.
With a rotation still in its nascent stage—only Kodai Senga and Jose Quintana have guaranteed spots—coupled with a somewhat uncertain bullpen, the Mets require a pitcher who can reliably log innings. Montgomery emerges as a prime candidate not only due to his adept innings-eating ability but also because he has demonstrated the resilience to perform in the high-pressure environment of New York and the capability to excel in postseason play.
Montgomery’s baseball journey, which commenced with the New York Yankees before a trade in 2022, has seen his standing in the game ascend. Despite lacking the flamboyance associated with high strikeout rates (career 22.5% strikeout rate), the left-hander compensates with remarkable dependability, boasting a career 3.68 ERA—a figure that has progressively diminished over the past two seasons. In an era marked by brief starter outings and heightened reliance on relievers, Montgomery stands out for his capacity to provide extended innings. Over the last three seasons, encompassing both regular and postseason play, he has accumulated 157 1/3, 181, and 219 2/3 innings, respectively.
During the 2023 season, split between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Texas Rangers, Montgomery showcased his prowess with a 3.20 ERA in 188 2/3 regular-season innings. Additionally, he contributed 31 more innings in the postseason and World Series, boasting a 3-1 record and a stellar 2.90 ERA.
The combination of Montgomery’s proven ability to navigate the pressures of New York, coupled with his consistent performance as an innings eater, positions him as an attractive prospect for the Mets as they embark on the transition to the 2024 season and beyond.
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