12-31-2023, 03:12 PM
This is an outstanding signing.
During the 2022 season, when the Reds traded Luis Castillo to the Mariners, the other major trade option for pitching needy teams was Frankie Montas.
The Yankees were reportedly close to striking a deal with the Reds for Castillo, but ultimately lost out to the Mariners because the Yankees were unwilling to trade their top prospect, Anthony Volpe, but the Mariners were willing to trade theirs, Noelvi Marte. The Yankees were only willing to part with Jasson Dominguez, their 3rd ranked prospect.
With Castillo off the market, the Yankees turned to the second best available pitcher, Frankie Montas, who was sporting a 3.18 ERA, in 104.2 innings and a WHIP of 1.137.
In his 6 year career to that point with Oakland As, he had a 3.70 ERA, 1.267 WHIP, 9.3 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 in 89 starts and 537.2 innings.
He had a bad 9 games in New York, but he has said that he was injured shortly after being traded to the Yankees and played through it, and then had surgery that caused him to miss most of 2023.
The 1 game he appeared in during the 2023 season was late in the season, so it's a good sign that he'll be healthy and ready to go this coming year.
If he stays healthy, he's probably the best and most seasoned starting pitcher on the roster and while he isn't a "true ace" like Castillo was, he is about as solid of a "true #2" or "good enough #1" as you'll find on the market.
And it didn't cost us a single prospect. Just 16 million dollars of Bob's money.
I can't think of any downside to this signing. If he's good, offer him a qualifying offer which nets compensatory picks if he declines. If he's bad, you bench him and bring up Williamson, Phillips or Martinez to take his slot alongside Greene, Lodolo, Ashcraft and Abbott.
For once in a long time, we actually have decent depth in the starting rotation. We just lack that top end talent. If Montas is healthy, he can be that top end. If he isn't, then maybe Greene, Lodolo or Ashcraft (or Abbott) take that next leap.
If neither occurs, Lowder is probably coming up next year as the next wave of exciting new pitching talent.
I think this pitching staff is in good shape after this signing.
During the 2022 season, when the Reds traded Luis Castillo to the Mariners, the other major trade option for pitching needy teams was Frankie Montas.
The Yankees were reportedly close to striking a deal with the Reds for Castillo, but ultimately lost out to the Mariners because the Yankees were unwilling to trade their top prospect, Anthony Volpe, but the Mariners were willing to trade theirs, Noelvi Marte. The Yankees were only willing to part with Jasson Dominguez, their 3rd ranked prospect.
With Castillo off the market, the Yankees turned to the second best available pitcher, Frankie Montas, who was sporting a 3.18 ERA, in 104.2 innings and a WHIP of 1.137.
In his 6 year career to that point with Oakland As, he had a 3.70 ERA, 1.267 WHIP, 9.3 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 in 89 starts and 537.2 innings.
He had a bad 9 games in New York, but he has said that he was injured shortly after being traded to the Yankees and played through it, and then had surgery that caused him to miss most of 2023.
The 1 game he appeared in during the 2023 season was late in the season, so it's a good sign that he'll be healthy and ready to go this coming year.
If he stays healthy, he's probably the best and most seasoned starting pitcher on the roster and while he isn't a "true ace" like Castillo was, he is about as solid of a "true #2" or "good enough #1" as you'll find on the market.
And it didn't cost us a single prospect. Just 16 million dollars of Bob's money.
I can't think of any downside to this signing. If he's good, offer him a qualifying offer which nets compensatory picks if he declines. If he's bad, you bench him and bring up Williamson, Phillips or Martinez to take his slot alongside Greene, Lodolo, Ashcraft and Abbott.
For once in a long time, we actually have decent depth in the starting rotation. We just lack that top end talent. If Montas is healthy, he can be that top end. If he isn't, then maybe Greene, Lodolo or Ashcraft (or Abbott) take that next leap.
If neither occurs, Lowder is probably coming up next year as the next wave of exciting new pitching talent.
I think this pitching staff is in good shape after this signing.
![[Image: oN5QAdY.png]](https://i.imgur.com/oN5QAdY.png)
