Jordan Montgomery To The Rangers
Jeff Curry - USA TODAY Sports
The St. Louis Cardinals continue their sellers’ deadline by dealing Jordan Montgomery and Chris Stratton to the playoff pushing Texas Rangers for two minor leaguers and relief pitcher John King.
Jordan Montgomery famously came over in a deal with the New York Yankees for Outfielder Harrison Bader. Once touted as the next Andy Pettitte, Montgomery has been okay since his arrival to the big leagues in 2017. In his first four seasons, he held a 4.01 ERA with 19 wins and 17 losses in 76 starts. A similar trend occurred in 2022, having a 3.69 ERA at the trade deadline before a last-minute swap with the Cardinals for the aforementioned Harrison Bader. It seemed to be a lopsided deal for the Cardinals, getting rotation help to push them over the finish line, versus a player on the injured list for feet issues. Down the stretch, Montgomery was outstanding, going 6-3 with a 3.11 ERA, including a one-hit shutout versus the rival Chicago Cubs.
2023 has been a different story for all Cardinals, compiling a 3.42 ERA before the trade deadline, going 6-9 in 21 starts. He was packed with relief Chris Stratton who himself was traded to the Cardinals last year in the deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates for Jose Quintana.
Stratton has been average in his career, owning a lifetime 4.50 ERA in his big league time starting in 2016 with the San Francisco Giants. He found success with the Cardinals after being traded, going 5-0 with a 2.78 ERA. Stratton will look to be a mid-game relief for the Rangers.
Coming back to the Cardinals will be RHP Tekoah Roby who has been underwhelming, with a 5.05 ERA this year, and LHP John King who has pitched in the Majors to mixed results compiling a 4.27 ERA with 10 wins and losses since 2020. The main prize of the trade looks to be INF Thomas Saggese, who has been hitting a nice .313 average with 15 home runs and 78 RBIs. The shortstop prospect will be alongside Masyn Winn as the future of the infield for the St. Louis Cardinals. It’s a nice haul for two rental pieces, and hopefully, the trade works out for both teams.
