Fansided

3 former Yankees proving Brian Cashman wrong with new team

By Zachary Rotman

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 19: Aroldis Chapman #54 of the New York Yankees reacts after being pulled from the mound during the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on August 19, 2022 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Blue Jays won 4-0. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 19: Aroldis Chapman #54 of the New York Yankees reacts after being pulled from the mound during the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on August 19, 2022 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Blue Jays won 4-0. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Apr 29, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery (47) throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery (47) throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports /

2) Jordan Montgomery is proving Brian Cashman wrong with the St. Louis Cardinals

At last year’s trade deadline, Brian Cashman made the controversial decision to ship Jordan Montgomery to the Cardinals in exchange for Harrison Bader. At the time, even with Bader’s injury, I liked the move. Montgomery felt like nothing more than a fourth or maybe third-at-best starter on a good team, and the Yankees filled a hole with the Bader acquisition.

The move was justified even more in the postseason as once Bader was healthy, he took off offensively. He helped the Yankees squeak by Cleveland in the ALDS. Unfortunately, the deal does not look nearly as good this season.

The oft-injured Bader hurt himself in Spring Training and has missed all but two games of this season. Bader just left another game due to injury against Cleveland this week. While Bader struggles to play for the Yankees, New York is starting guys like Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Aaron Hicks in the outfield. It’s not working.

Meanwhile, Jordan Montgomery looks like the best version of himself. I don’t know if it’s the beard, but Monty has been lights out for the Cardinals. He’s the one bright spot in what’s been an awful rotation, posting a 3.34 ERA to go along with a 2.68 FIP in his first six starts.

Even if Monty hadn’t taken his leap in St. Louis, the Yankees have missed him desperately. Carlos Rodon, Luis Severino, and Frankie Montas have not thrown a single pitch for the Yankees this season. Severino should be back soon, but we have no idea when to expect Rodon and Montas might not be back at all.

Montgomery was always durable, and someone you could rely on to take the ball every fifth day. Now, with him out of the fold, the Yankees are having to rely on guys like Domingo German, Jhony Brito, and Clarke Schmidt to start regularly. Not ideal.

Again, not a bad trade at the time in my opinion, but it’s one that has come back to bite Brian Cashman and the Yankees.

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