The New York Yankees’ desperate need for pitching reinforcement cannot be understated. After parting with as many as six pitchers through multiple trades, the pitching depth ceased to exist. Thus, the front office’s next off-season target is a top-tier starting pitcher. While Yoshinobu Yamamoto is the dream, the market is uncertain for now.
Yamamoto was earlier expected to land with either of the New York-based teams, the Yankees or the Mets. However, the LA Dodgers made a splash entry to complicate the pursuit. Under this circumstance, a reunion with an ex-Yankee and current free agent seems an ideal choice. However, the pitcher has apparently had a change of heart with respect to his off-season rendezvous.
Jordan Montgomery Likely To Settle With Defending Champions Texas Rangers This Off-Season!
Jordan Montgomery, a left-handed pitcher, had previously donned the iconic pinstripes of the New York Yankees before getting traded in 2022. He was picked up in the fourth round of the 2014 MLB draft and served in the Bronx for five-plus seasons. However, owing to a dip in form, the franchise traded him to the St.Louis Cardinal in 2022. While Jordan thrived in the Cardinals, the latter also ended up shipping him away to Texas Rangers in 2023. Surprisingly, Montgomery showed signs of life as a change of scenery worked wonders. Montgomery guided the Rangers to their maiden World Series title by pitching crucial starts during the postseason. Now, owing to his newly discovered form, Yanks and Cardinals are seeking a reunion.
Jordan Montgomery is a free agent and is expected to land a big contract this off-season. However, the Yankees and Cardinals are not on the list of top landing spots. As per Jim Bowden of The Athletic, Montgomery remains a perfect fit for both the Bombers and Cardinals, as he previously served in both franchises. Having said that, because the teams traded him, Montgomery isn’t keen on a reunion. Instead, the pitcher would seek an extension from his current team, the Texas Rangers. Apparently, Jordan feels at home in Texas and is enjoying playing for manager Bruce Bochy and working with pitching coach Mike Maddux. Not only that, to have the opportunity to learn from the likes of future Hall of Fame hurlers like Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer matters a lot to Montgomery.
Yankees’ Top International Outfield Target Lands With Giants!
Meanwhile, the New York Yankees continue to lose top free-agency targets. After Jordan Montgomery, the franchise saw Jung Hoo Lee land with the San Francisco Giants in a mega deal. The KBO superstar was posted last month, and subsequently, the Yanks emerged as the top landing spot. Apparently, Lee’s elite hand-eye coordination and ability to draw walks impressed the Bombers.
Not only that, the Bombers also sent scouts to Korea to check in on Jung Hoo Lee. However, the Giants managed to win the sweepstakes. They locked Lee in a mega six-year contract worth $113 million, with an opt-out option after the first four years. Meanwhile, the Giants, who previously lost Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani’s sweepstakes, finally managed to grab a top-tier outfield free agent.