Cardinals shouldn’t jump the gun on Jordan Montgomery contract

Jordan Montgomery is everything the St. Louis Cardinals could have hoped for since arriving at the trade deadline. But pump the brakes on a contract extension.

The St. Louis Cardinals were in need of a starting pitcher at the trade deadline. They were unable to land Frankie Montas, who went from the Oakland Athletics to the New York Yankees. But, an arm for the starting rotation arrived, as they acquired Jordan Montgomery from the Yankees in exchange for centerfielder Harrison Bader.

Since arriving, Montgomery is everything the Cardinals could have hoped for. He holds an ERA well below 1.00 and is a perfect 4-0 since arriving.

While it has been a steal for the Cardinals and is making the Yankees fanbase angry at general manager Brian Cashman, let’s pump the brakes on any contract extension talk.

Cardinals: Pump the brakes on a Jordan Montgomery contract extension

Even though Montgomery has been one of the most impressive pitchers in the game since the trade deadline, there is still so much time remaining in the season. There is a chance that he falls back to Earth. Besides, the team has his contractual situation working in their favor.

Montgomery is arbitration eligible for the 2023 season before he hits free agency. He is earning $8 million for this season.

In four of his six years with the Yankees, Montgomery has recorded an ERA below 4.00. Then when he arrived in St. Louis, his game has stepped up massively. In fact, he threw a complete game, where he struck out seven batters and allowed one hit in the team’s 1-0 win over the Chicago Cubs on Aug. 22.

Through four starts, Montgomery holds an ERA of 0.35 and a 0.62 WHIP.

This is not to say that the Cardinals should absolutely refuse to give Montgomery a contract. No. This is to say that the Cardinals have a season and a half to see if Montgomery can keep up at this pace.