Jordan Montgomery Bidding War Incoming? Starting Pitcher Injury Bug Impacts Several Teams as Regular Season Nears

The 2024 Major League Baseball season feels charged with an undercurrent of uncertainty. With Spring Training well nearing its end, a surprising number of star pitchers are already sidelined. Injuries hang in the air like a dark cloud on the biggest teams in the league. Could this unexpected turn of events ignite a frenzied bidding war for a free agent like Jordan Montgomery, who still remains unsigned?

Montgomery’s value is sky-high. After a strong finish to 2023 with the championship-winning Texas Rangers, he’s proven himself as a reliable starter with the grit to handle high-pressure playoff situations. The pitching injuries plaguing top contenders might just make Montgomery the hottest—and  most talented—name left on the market. Is this the precursor to a bidding war that could reshape the league’s playoff landscape?

Injury Crisis: Teams in desperate need

The injury bug has bitten deep this spring. For teams like the New York Mets, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, and Houston Astros, the setbacks are particularly troubling. Their rotations, once considered strengths, now hang in the balance. Star pitchers are sidelined, leaving gaping holes and a sense of desperation creeping into front offices across the league.

The uncertainty surrounding these injuries makes a free agent like Jordan Montgomery even more tantalizing. Now, let’s examine the key injuries across several teams harboring World Series dreams:

New York Mets: Kodai Senga’s strained right shoulder and David Peterson’s lengthy recovery from hip surgery leave the Mets scrambling for depth behind Tylor Megill and Carlos Carrasco, who stepped up in Spring Training.

New York Yankees: Gerrit Cole’s nerve inflammation in his elbow adds to the questions around a rotation already burdened by the losses of Carlos Rodón’s and Nestor Cortes’ bad forms this spring.

Philadelphia Phillies: Taijuan Walker’s injured shoulder adds insult to their World Series disappointment and has the potential to push the Phillies to open their checkbook in a big way.

Houston Astros: Justin Verlander’s recovery timeline remains uncertain, making the Astros another potential suitor despite their impressive pitching depth.

These setbacks leave teams eyeing the few capable arms still on the market. Enter Jordan Montgomery.

Montgomery’s value lies in his consistency. After a strong finish in 2023, he’s proven himself as a reliable starter capable of handling high-pressure playoff situations. Despite reports stating that he’s seeking a deal topping $172 million, the current landscape might force him to settle for a shorter-term, high-value contract.

Several teams likely view Jordan Montgomery as the perfect “bridge” solution. Should primary pitchers return to full strength mid-season, he could seamlessly shift into a critical bullpen role, adding a veteran presence for a playoff push.

Other teams in the mix for Jordan Montgomery

While the Mets, Yankees, Phillies, and Astros seem like the front-runners, it’s worth considering that any team with an injured pitcher and playoff hopes could be in play. Especially the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Eduardo Rodriguez’s lat strain leaves a gaping hole in their rotation and could make them surprise players in this bidding war, which now seems inevitable. The question now is how high the offers will go and how desperate teams will become.

We’ve seen how quickly the market can heat up, especially with playoff contenders facing unexpected roster holes. It certainly looks like the next few weeks could be pivotal for any team desperate to add a quality, playoff-tested pitcher to their ranks.

Read More: From Yankees to Boston Red Sox, Tracking Jordan Montgomery’s Market Amid Phillies & Mystery Team Pursuit

I believe the final bids for Montgomery will depend on several key factors: the severity and recovery timeline of injured pitchers, the level of desperation among these teams, and Montgomery’s willingness to compromise on his contract demands. This could be a transformative moment for several franchises, and it could elevate Jordan Montgomery from a reliable starter to a highly sought-after commodity. The 2024 season just got a whole lot more interesting.