The New York Yankees made a significant move just before the trade deadline on Tuesday by trading pitcher Jordan Montgomery to the St. Louis Cardinals.
The trade involved the Yankees receiving outfielder Harrison Bader, who is currently on the injured list.
This move has raised several questions from baseball fans and experts alike about the reasoning behind the trade and its potential impact on the Yankees.
Who is Jordan Montgomery?
Background Information on Jordan Montgomery
Jordan Montgomery is a left-handed professional baseball pitcher. He was born on December 27, 1992, in Sumter, South Carolina.
He attended the University of South Carolina and played college baseball for the South Carolina Gamecocks. Montgomery was drafted in the fourth round of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft by the New York Yankees.
His Performance with the Yankees
Montgomery made his Major League debut on April 12, 2017, against the Tampa Bay Rays. He pitched six innings, allowed just two hits, and struck out seven batters. Montgomery finished his rookie season with a 9-7 record and a 3.88 ERA in 29 starts.
He had 144 strikeouts in 155.1 innings pitched. Injuries plagued Montgomery’s next two seasons as he only made a combined eight appearances.
However, he came back strong in 2020, starting in 10 games with a 2-3 record and a 5.11 ERA in 44 innings. Montgomery started the 2021 season well, posting a 3-5 record with a 4.17 ERA in 16 starts.
He had 77 strikeouts in 86.2 innings pitched. Overall, Montgomery has a 3.84 ERA, 265 strikeouts, and a 20-14 record in 62 appearances (59 starts) for the Yankees.
Analysis of Yankee’s Decision to Trade Jordan Montgomery
Why Did the Yankees Trade Montgomery?
It is unclear why the Yankees traded Montgomery, but many speculate that they did it because of the depth they have in starting pitching.
The Yankees added two starting pitchers at the trade deadline, adding to the competition for the starting rotation. Montgomery was reportedly “surprised and disappointed” by the trade.
What Did the Yankees Get in Return for Montgomery?
The Yankees received outfielder Harrison Bader from the St. Louis Cardinals in return for Montgomery. Bader had been on the injured list with a hairline fracture in his ribcage.
Bader is known for his defensive skills, particularly in the center field, and has a career of .695 OPS.
What Does This Trade Mean for the Cardinals?
The trade allows the Cardinals to add starting pitching depth to their rotation. Montgomery has experience as a left-handed starter, which could be beneficial in matchups against teams like the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers.
Montgomery’s addition to the rotation could help the Cardinals make a push in the NL Central.
How Will Montgomery Fit in With the Cardinals
Montgomery is expected to slot into the Cardinals’ starting rotation. He could be a reliable left-handed option behind Jack Flaherty and Adam Wainwright.
Montgomery’s consistent performance and ability to eat innings could be valuable for a Cardinals team that has struggled with injury and inconsistency this season.
What Are the Potential Risks for Both Teams in This Trade?
The potential risk for the Yankees is that they traded away a reliable starting pitcher for a player who is currently on the injured list. Bader’s OPS is also lower than the average outfielder’s.
The potential risk for the Cardinals is that Montgomery has struggled with injuries in the past, and he may not perform as well outside of Yankee Stadium. However, the Cardinals likely view Montgomery as a low-risk, high-reward acquisition.
Why did the Yankees trade Montgomery?
The Yankees’ decision to trade Jordan Montgomery to the St. Louis Cardinals was somewhat of a surprise move for many fans and analysts. Montgomery had been a solid contributor to the Yankees’ pitching rotation and had shown promise as a young left-handed pitcher with a lot of potential.
In exchange for Montgomery, the Yankees acquired outfielder Harrison Bader from the Cardinals. However, at the time of the trade, Bader was on the injured list due to a rib injury.
This meant that the Yankees were essentially trading away a starting pitcher for a player who wouldn’t be able to help them in the immediate future.
Despite this apparent downside to the trade, the Yankees were likely looking at the long-term potential of Bader as a key contributor to their outfield.
Bader is a strong defensive player who has shown some offensive potential in the past, and he could become a key part of the Yankees’ roster in the coming years.
Speculations surrounding the decision
There are a few different theories about why the Yankees decided to trade Jordan Montgomery. One possibility is that they were simply looking to shake up their roster in the hopes of making a late-season push for the playoffs.
By acquiring a new outfielder, the team could potentially improve their defense and overall offensive production.
Another theory is that the Yankees are starting to look ahead to next season, and are trying to shed some salary in order to free up space for other moves.
Montgomery was due to become more expensive in the coming years, and if the Yankees didn’t see him as a long-term part of their rotation, trading him away now could be a smart financial move.
Finally, it’s possible that the Yankees simply saw an opportunity to acquire a talented player in Harrison Bader, and decided to snap up that opportunity before it was too late.
While Bader may not be able to help the team immediately due to his injury, he could be a key part of the team in the coming years and could eventually make the trade worth it for the Yankees.
Who is Harrison Bader?
Harrison Bader is a 27-year-old outfielder born in Bronxville, New York, who attended the University of Florida before starting his professional career.
He was drafted by the Cardinals in the third round in 2015 and made his MLB debut with them in 2017. Since then, Bader has been a versatile asset for the Cards, able to play all three outfield positions with excellent speed and range.
Bader initially struggled offensively in his debut season, with a batting average of just .235 and an on-base percentage of .322. However, he made up for it with his baserunning and defense, accruing a 2.0 WAR (Wins Above Replacement) in only 92 games.
Bader continued to struggle at the plate in 2018 but remained valuable with his glove and speed. He won the National League Gold Glove award for center fielders that year.
In 2019, Bader started to show more promise as a hitter. He bumped his batting average up to .205 and hit 12 home runs, although his on-base percentage dropped to .314.
His WAR stayed steady at 2.0. However, he struggled again in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, with only a .226 batting average and .336 on-base percentage in 50 games. His defense remained solid, but his WAR dipped to -0.1.
Bader’s season this year has been interrupted by multiple stints on the injured list. He has only played in 29 games, hitting .223 with 3 home runs and an on-base percentage of .331. However, he is still valued for his defense and speed when healthy; his WAR this year is 0.5.
Overall, Bader is a player whose value comes primarily from his defensive abilities and speed on the bases. While he has shown flashes of offensive potential, he has yet to put it all together over a full season.
For the Yankees, acquiring Bader likely means they see him as a low-risk, high-reward move; if he can develop his hitting, he could become a valuable asset in their outfield.
What does this trade mean for the Yankees?
The Yankees’ decision to trade Jordan Montgomery to the Cardinals will have significant impact on the team’s pitching rotation.
Montgomery, who was a valuable left-handed pitcher with a 3.77 ERA and 99 strikeouts in 18 starts this season, was one of the team’s more consistent starters. His departure will, therefore, place pressure on the remaining pitchers to fill the void.
Now that Montgomery is no longer part of the rotation, the Yankees will have to rely on their more veteran starters, like Gerrit Cole and Corey Kluber, to lead the team.
This move could also mean that the team’s young prospects, such as Luis Gil, Deivi Garcia, and Clarke Schmidt, could be given more opportunities to pitch.
On the other hand, the trade could be viewed as a way for the Yankees to bolster their offense. Although Harrison Bader is currently on the injured list, he is a talented outfielder with the potential to play a key role in the Yankees’ lineup when he returns.
Potential benefits and drawbacks
The trade could have significant potential benefits for the Yankees. Firstly, the team’s offense could be strengthened with the addition of Bader, who has a career batting average of .231 and has hit 41 home runs in his last 280 games.
This could potentially help the Yankees improve their offensive output and secure more victories. Secondly, the trade may also be seen as a way for the Yankees to acquire some additional financial flexibility. Montgomery was due to become a free agent in 2023, and by trading him now, the team has avoided having to pay him a potentially expensive contract in the future.
However, there are also potential drawbacks to the trade. The loss of Montgomery will undoubtedly weaken the team’s starting rotation, and it remains to be seen if the young prospects will be able to step up and fill the void left by his departure.
Additionally, there is also the risk that Bader may not perform as well as expected, particularly given his recent injury history. This could result in the Yankees trading away one of their more reliable pitchers for an underperforming outfielder.
The Yankees’ decision to trade Jordan Montgomery for Harrison Bader is a significant move that will impact the team’s starting rotation and offense.
While the trade could have potential benefits such as improving the team’s offense and providing additional financial flexibility, there are also potential drawbacks such as weakening the starting rotation and the risk of Bader underperforming.
Only time will tell if this trade proves to be a wise move for the Yankees.
Why Did the Yankees Trade Montgomery for Bader?
The Yankees traded Montgomery to the Cardinals. Bader was acquired to fill the center field hole. Montgomery was a dependable pitcher for the Yankees. There were questions about whether he would make the postseason roster.
The Cardinals were in need of rotation help. The Yankees had depth in their pitching rotation. Bader was known for his defensive skills.
The Yankees needed a reliable center fielder. Montgomery’s value could be better used to fill a hole in the roster.
The trade was a win-win for both teams.
Did the Yankees Get Rid of Montgomery?
The Yankees traded pitcher Jordan Montgomery to the Cardinals. The trade happened right before the deadline on Tuesday. Montgomery played in the Yankees organization for eight years. Montgomery was upset and shocked about the trade.
He considered the Yankees organization to be his family. Montgomery made his debut in 2017 and played in 59 games for the Yankees. The left-handed pitcher was a valuable member of the Yankees’ bullpen.
The Cardinals were looking for a left-handed starter, which made Montgomery a good fit. The Yankees received two minor leaguers in exchange for Montgomery. It remains to be seen how Montgomery will perform with his new team.
What Happened With Jordan Montgomery in the Yankees?
Jordan Montgomery’s Early Years with the Yankees Jordan Montgomery was drafted by the New York Yankees in the fourth round of the 2014 MLB draft. After a few years in the minor leagues, he made his MLB debut on April 12, 2017.
Montgomery’s Performance with the Yankees Montgomery showed promise in his rookie season, posting a 3.88 ERA over 29 starts. However, his next few seasons were marred by injuries, limiting his playing time.
Montgomery’s Trade to the Yankees Amid speculation that he may be traded, Montgomery was eventually dealt to the Los Angeles Angels in July of 2022.
Montgomery’s Future with the Angels As he enters his final year of arbitration eligibility, Montgomery is poised to receive a significant raise after making $6 million in 2022. The Angels will rely on him to anchor their pitching staff in 2023.
Montgomery’s Impact on the Angels Despite a mixed track record with the Yankees, Montgomery has the potential to be a valuable addition to the Angels. With a strong showing in 2023, he could secure a multi-year deal and cement his place in the team’s future plans.
To Recap
The Yankees’ decision to trade Jordan Montgomery to the Cardinals for outfielder Harrison Bader has raised several questions about the reasoning behind the move.
While it remains to be seen how this trade will affect the team’s performance on the field, it is clear that the Yankees are taking necessary steps to address their needs and improve their roster as they look to make a push for the playoffs.
Baseball fans will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on this trade as the season progresses.
