Tuesday, June 5, 2018

My Reaction To Jordan Montgomery Getting TJS

It was recently announced that this Thursday Jordan Montgomery would undergo Tommy John surgery. While losing Monty for the rest of this season isn't going to hurt the Yankees shot at the World Series, the loss of Jordan Montgomery is far from insignificant. 

In 35 starts for the Yankees, between last season and this one, Monty has thrown to a solid 3.84 ERA. Yet his value to the rotation has been greatly overlooked.

I'm not saying he should be considered the team's ace, and was on his way to starting the Wild Card game or Game 1 of the ALDS. Actually, I don't think he would have started a postseason game at all. Severino, whoever they trade for, and Tanaka would likely be the starters then. But way more often than not, when Jordan started the team had a chance to win. And you can't ask for more than that from your #4 or #5 starter. 

Actually, there are plenty of teams that are lucky to get one win out of five starts from their 4th and 5th starters.

I don't want to say I'm concerned about the team's chances to win it all this season due losing Montgomery. The aforementioned Severino and Tanaka, along with Gray, Sabathia, and German should be able to keep leading the Yankees to plenty of victories. Not to mention an addition to that rotation via trade. But if you are waving this off as nothing, possibly comparing it to the team not having Jacoby Ellsbury around, you haven't been paying attention.

12 comments:

  1. The Yankees have not acquired a single pitcher via trade that has worked out successfully since 2000.Free agents have worked out but not trades. Let's see what happens this year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Compare Michael Pineda to Jesus montero, please. Yea, he wasn't the front end all star we expected, but you can't say it wasn't successful!

      Delete
    2. While it's great just to be read, the fact that people like yourselves comment is awesome. Thank you so much for taking the extra time to say something here.

      With that said, I can't help but wonder what Unknown is talking about. The trade for Brandon McCarthy in 2014 worked out pretty well. Justin Wilson was also pretty darn good for them in 2015, after being traded for before the season began. Like Daryl said, Pineda was nothing great, but even getting an average starter over the course of four seasons worked out well enough considering what they gave up (Montero was a big prospect, but he did nothing in MLB).

      Besides, saying free agency is the way to go is so archaic. It's rare for the best players, let alone best pitchers, to even get to free agency. And by the time they do the majority of them are past their prime and not worth their asking price, anyway.

      Look at Kershaw. He may be a free agent this offseason, but will a guy that turns 31 before Opening Day and whose had back issues be worth what he'll get? Maybe for a year or two, but it wouldn't surprise me if the team that signs him will have some buyer's remorse a few years later.

      Delete
  2. This will hurt , how much depends on what they do It could hurt more if they trade say someone like Andujar to get one .or Frazier .
    Best case would be to see if we can get a piece cheap ( use a Walker and Hicks )
    Were going to need someone next year so say bring Sheffield up in a 6 man rotation limiting innings in August .
    We have to be careful not to seem we have to do this because teams will be like trying to robs us.We offered a better deal for Cole than Houston but Pirates thought we would cave and give in to their demands.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There's never going to be a 6 man rotation. Or a 4 man rotation. Or a bullpen game. Sheff isn't ready. Keep him right where he is, building success btwn 4 and 5 innings.

      And you need to give to get... A walker and hicks rental? Come on, man. What exactly do you think you are getting for that ? A steaming pile of cat shit.

      Delete
    2. The Yankees should absolutely hold onto guys like Frazier, Torres, Andujar, and Sheffield. The need for a starter has not reached desperation... at least not yet. But at the same time they're not going to get the piece they should for just Hicks and/or Walker... no way.

      But a combination of MLB players like Hicks, Walker, and Drury (you know... non-essential guys) along with prospects like Adams, Abreu, and Estrada (non-essential but good prospects), could very well land them somebody to pair with Severino as a good 1-2 punch.

      Delete
    3. Everyone needs BP help why not throw Domingo Acevedo in with Hicks, Walker, and Drury as the Yankees have no faith in him. Estrada has no spot to play anyhow but, Adams and Abreu could yet make a name for themselves...maybe!

      Delete
    4. I don't see a clear spot for either man, though.

      Severino, Tanaka, Gray, Montgomery (eventually), the pitcher they are going to trade for, Sheffield, German... where do Adams and Abreau fit? The bullpen? There's not much room there, either.

      This is why I'd lump them, and the other guys I mentioned, into the non-essential list. BTW... Hicks isn't essential because they could move Gardner to CF and bring up Frazier to play LF.

      Delete
    5. I see your point on the pitchers and if we could get something for Hicks...go for it! He is great in the field but not a steady bat.

      Delete
    6. Hicks would be a part of a package, but not the key part. That's not to say Hicks will be dealt, as the Yankees seem to really like him. I'm just saying that he's expendable. Or "non-essential".

      Delete
    7. Reed, I think Hicks is just what you said. Good in the field, terrible at the plate. We may have won that trade, but there is no room, in the OF for a .245 hitter. I would rather see the kid (Frazier)

      Delete
    8. I agree Hans! I am not so sure about Frazier in CF, only because the Yankees don't think he can play CF...why, I don't know! I thought he was a good outfielder, from what I have seen of him. If Stanton can play LF well enough why can't Frazier do well in CF? Put him out there and let him play and learn as he goes just like everyone else.
      But then. I was a bad outfielder and ended up at second base...couldn't read a fly ball very well! Hay, nobody is perfect! LOL

      Delete

Sorry for the Capatcha... Blame the Russians :)