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Free agent left-handed starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery is reportedly looking for more money than the $172 million that the Philadelphia Phillies gave right-hander Aaron Nola to stay in town.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post relayed the news amid an article on the New York Yankees’ free agent prospects.
“Executives and agents spoken to say that Jordan Montgomery is aiming to top the $172 million that Aaron Nola received from the Phillies. The Yankees like him. But they liked him when they traded him, ill-fatedly for Harrison Bader. They know he takes the ball, is competitive and can handle New York. But do they truly believe he is a grade or two better than the pitcher they dealt and, thus, worth the outlay?”
Montgomery, 31, went 10-11 with a 3.20 ERA (1.19 WHIP) over 32 starts for the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers last season. He struck out 166 batters in 188.2 innings.
Montgomery certainly made himself some more money after a tremendous run with the World Series champion Rangers, who acquired him from St. Louis via trade last July.
During the regular season, Montgomery went 4-2 with a 2.79 ERA (1.09 WHIP) and 7.7 K/9 rate. He excelled in the playoffs, too, with a 3-1 record and 2.90 ERA. His best efforts came in the ALCS against the Houston Astros, going 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA.
Naturally, there is much interest in Montgomery’s services. Jon Heyman of the New York Post mentioned the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Angels and New York Mets as possibilities.
However, the Rangers are in the mix as well. A source with knowledge of the team’s thinking told NJ Advance Media’s Randy Miller that Texas is No. 1 on Montgomery’s list.
“He loves Texas,” the source said. “That’s really where he wants to go.”
We’ll see what happens soon enough as the hot stove season continues. Whether or not Montgomery gets more than $172 million is up for debate, but he should be landing a lucrative contract well into the nine figures nevertheless.
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