Many believed that meant playing in the top of the free agent market.
Now, both of the top pitchers in Aaron Nola and Yoshinobu have been signed by the Philadelphia Phillies and the Los Angeles Dodgers, respectively. But those didn’t come as a huge surprise.
With both off the board, perhaps the next free agent dominoes will fall.
For the Orioles, all eyes should be on former Texas Rangers and World Series champion Jordan Montgomery.
Montgomery was traded from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Rangers at this year’s MLB trade deadline. From there, he went to headline Texas’ rotation in the postseason and helped guide them to their first World Series championship.
During his age-30 season, Montgomery put together the best year of his seven year career throwing 188.2 innings and posting a 3.20 ERA. He was only better down the stretch posting a 2.90 ERA in the postseason.
To acquire Montgomery might require an overpay on the Orioles’ end. Teams like the New York Yankees and Mets, both teams who whiffed on Yamamoto, are likely to be pursuing his services. You can’t rule out the Rangers trying to bring him back either, despite their television rights woes.
Montgomery represents playing at the top of the pitching market, but he also brings veteran leadership to a very young core and rotation. Having a guy in the locker room that has achieved and played at the highest level in the sport is invaluable knowledge for a young team. Something they have been lacking.
Montgomery is a perfect fit for Baltimore and is exactly what they need to bolster their chances for another postseason berth.
