Yankees players still in shock over Jordan Montgomery trade, root on complete game

The New York Yankees traded Jordan Montgomery at the deadline in a move that shocked the team. Since, he’s been arguably the best pitcher on the Cardinals staff.

Montgomery was arguably the fourth-best pitcher in New York’s rotation, especially once they traded for Frankie Montas. Thus, he became expendable in the eyes of Brian Cashman, and was dealt to the pitcher-needy Cardinals for Harrison Bader.

Bader has yet to play a game for the Yanks as he rehabs from injury. Montgomery, on the other hand, has been stellar in St. Louis. Pitching with a chip on his shoulder, Montgomery is 4-0 with a 0.35 ERA in four starts with the Cardinals.

The Yankees players, who were surprised from the outset, remain loyal to their former teammate.

Cardinals: Jordan Montgomery completes a Maddux, Yankees watch from afar

The 99-pitch complete game was the first of Montgomery’s career.

It’s fair to say that the Yankees did not handle this trade very well. While Montgomery would not have received an extension in New York, you can never have too much pitching. Also, Bader has yet to suit up in pinstripes, so of course this deal looks a little lopsided at the moment.

However, the Montgomery trade materialized just minutes before the deadline, so the Yankees didn’t even tell him until…well, the moment it happened. Yanks Go Yard’s Adam Weinrib has the scoop, per the FOX broadcast:

"“According to the FOX broadcast prior to the much-anticipated Monty-German showdown, the left-hander got the news about 15 minutes before the deadline. His fourth-year medical student fiancee was just several days into a significant part of her process, and planned to do her residency in New York … before the Yankees abruptly canceled those plans.”"

Since the trade deadline, the Cards have overtaken the Brewers for first place in the NL Central. Four wins in four starts has made Montgomery a core piece of the rotation, and a definite in the playoff rotation should St. Louis make it there.