MLB Rumors: Shane Bieber trade buzz, Yankees reunion dies, Cardinals surprise
- Shane Bieber unlikely to be traded
- Yankees chances at reunion with Jordan Montgomery appear to be dead
- Former Cardinals reliever signs surprise NPB deal
MLB Rumors: Yankees chances at reunion with Jordan Montgomery appear to be dead
The New York Yankees finally added to their starting rotation, signing Marcus Stroman to a two-year deal. Despite Stroman's struggles down the stretch and his previous off-field issues with the Yankees, Stroman agreed to a deal with Brian Cashman to join New York's rotation. While he should be a solid addition for them, the Yankees really shouldn't be stopping there.
As of now, the Yankees have Gerrit Cole, Stroman, Carlos Rodon, Nestor Cortes Jr., and Clarke Schmidt as their starting rotation. While that rotation is certainly above average, it's also one that comes with many questions.
What can the Yankees realistically expect to get from Rodon after his struggles to be both healthy and productive in his first season with the Yankees? Can Cortes bounce back from a wash of a year? Can Stroman bounce back from his horrific second half? Do they have enough depth to get through a full 162-game season? The Yankees would benefit from another rotation addition, but the question is who might that addition be?
The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal (subscription required) says that the Yankees don't want to meet the asking price for the best free-agent starter available, Blake Snell. They appear hesitant to meet the asking prices in trades for aces Corbin Burnes and Dylan Cease as well, which makes sense after they pulled off the Juan Soto deal.
Jordan Montgomery is an option they appear to be interested in, but Rosenthal says "Montgomery seemingly wants to play for the Rangers, a team with whom he won a World Series, rather than the Yankees, a team that did not believe he was good enough for its postseason rotation, prompting his trade to the Cardinals at the 2022 deadline". The Yankees could offer Montgomery a deal, but barring an offer that blows the competition out of the water, it really feels like the southpaw has absolutely no interest in returning to the Bronx. After they traded him and said he wasn't good enough, who can blame him?