Frankie Montas trade rumors: 3 teams battling for A’s ace

According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, Oakland Athletics pitcher Frankie Montas’ ‘market is focused on’ these three teams.

Luis Castillo was the first big starting pitcher to move ahead of the Aug. 2 trade deadline, as he was sent to the Seattle Mariners by the Cincinnati Reds. That leaves teams looking towards the Oakland Athletics, who have another of the top starting pitchers available in Frankie Montas. With days remaining until trades can no longer be made, there are seemingly three finalists for the right-hander.

According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, Montas’ “trade market is focused on” the New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, and Toronto Blue Jays.

Frankie Montas sweepstakes seemingly down to Yankees, Cardinals, and Blue Jays

The Yankees have had Montas on their radar heading into the trade deadline, but reportedly had Castillo at the top of their priority list. According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, the Yankees were “close” on Castillo, but the Mariners won out after offering the Reds three of their top five prospects.

St. Louis has been linked to Montas for quite some time, as they do have a need for a starting pitcher. The thing is, the Cardinals are also in on Washington Nationals star outfielder Juan Soto. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reports in his latest article that the Athletics “want some of the same prospects” that the Nationals are requesting for Soto.

Meanwhile, the Blue Jays are seemingly in on all of the top options available on the trading block. They were reportedly in on outfielder Andrew Benintendi, but they lost out after the Kansas City Royals traded him to the Yankees. Toronto does have a need for a starting pitcher, as Hyun-Jin Ryu is done for the season after undergoing surgery on his left elbow.

Montas has missed some time with right shoulder inflammation this season. Through 19 starts, he recorded a 3.18 ERA, a 1.137 WHIP, 109 strikeouts, and 28 walks over 104.2 innings.

As Morosi points out, Montas will not be pitching before the trade deadline. Now, the baseball world waits to see if he will be wearing a new uniform, or if he will remain on the Athletics for the remainder of the season.