One of the biggest mysteries of the MLB spring has been this. Lefty Jordan Montgomery did not find a fit for the mega-contract he was rumored to be looking for, despite putting on a thrilling postseason display that helped the Rangers win the World Series. Throughout the winter and into spring, there was little progress regarding Montgomery. Montgomery remains unsigned despite the Yankees and other teams suffering from well-publicized injuries to their best pitchers.
However, Joel Sherman of the New York Post claims that Montgomery and his agent, Scott Boras, are still in constant contact with the Yankees and that other New York team. Montgomery is a simple fix for both the Yankees and the Mets, who anticipate being without their aces (Kodai Senga and Gerrit Cole, respectively) for the first few weeks and months of the season.
Montgomery, who spent his first six seasons with the Yankees before being traded to the Cardinals in 2022, has the option to return to New York, according to Sherman. The Yankees at the time had issue with Montgomery’s lack of swing-and-miss ability.
It seems that view has not altered, else by now he may be wearing pinstripes again. Montgomery is a short-term solution, but Aaron Boone’s staff is limited as a result of the Cole injury.
Mets and Yankees Are Still Interested in Jordan MontgomeryÂ
Sherman wrote this week on the situation as follows: “And it should be emphasized that the Yankees and Mets do share this: It appears they haven’t closed the door on Jordan Montgomery. The Mets approached Montgomery in the same way as J.D. Martinez, another player signed by Scott Boras. They signed a substantially delayed one-year, $12 million contract with Martinez because they had a price in mind and would act if necessary.
Even at this late hour, “the Yankees have told Boras what range they are comfortable with on Montgomery, and the two sides did not seem in agreement.”
Montgomery and a few other clients of superagent Scott Boras have been holding out for a long-term deal. However, five players—Cubs slugger Cody Bellinger, Giants pitcher Blake Snell, Giants third baseman Matt Chapman, and Mets slugger JD Martinez—all agreed to short-term contracts with opt-outs that let them become free agents once more. Montgomery hasn’t experienced it like that.
Montgomery, who is 31 years old, has a 3.68 ERA and a 38-34 career record. He has been excellent for the past two years, going 19-17 with a 3.34 ERA in 64 starts for three teams, suggesting that his early difficulties in New York are behind him. With a 2.90 ERA, he went 3-1 throughout the Rangers’ postseason run to the title game last year.
Everything Is About the Money
Montgomery’s market worth is based on a six-year, $110 million contract, according to Spotrac, who values him at $18.4 million annually. Unfortunately, no such deal has materialized as Spring Training continues.
Sherman notes that Montgomery’s beginning salary was determined by Aaron Nola’s seven-year, $172 million contract in Philadelphia. However, Montgomery reduced the range to “Tyler Glasnow area (five years, $136.5 million)” after realizing that was not going to happen.
However, Montgomery is viewed as a third starter by the Yankees. Despite his performance in the postseason, he is essentially that. The organization would therefore prefer that he sign for “Eduardo Rodriguez’s four years at $80 million perhaps,” Sherman wrote. However, the left-hander has proven he is capable of playing in New York and that the postseason won’t faze him.
At least the door is open. However, neither Montgomery nor the Yankees had yet to pass through.
