MLB Rumors: Yankees, Jordan Montgomery 'Back in Contact' After Snell-Giants Contract

After missing out on reigning National League Cy Young winner Blake Snell, the New York Yankees are reportedly "back in contact" now with free-agent left-hander Jordan Montgomery.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported the latest on the Yankees and Montgomery, who spent the first five-plus seasons of his career in the Bronx:

"The Yankees seemed to prefer Snell since their analytics folks have the same issues with Montgomery as when they traded him away, namely that he doesn't throw especially hard, and doesn't miss enough bats. Plus, true or not, word got out that Montgomery preferred to go elsewhere.

"Anyway, if Montgomery and the Yankees aren't each other's first choices, they may have little choice now. Sources say they are back in contact. A gap exists, but at least they're talking.

The 31-year-old went 10-11 with a 3.20 ERA (1.19 WHIP) and 166 strikeouts for the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers last season. He particularly excelled after the Rangers acquired him from the Redbirds before the trade deadline, going 4-2 with a 2.79 ERA (1.09 WHIP).

Montgomery also produced en route to a World Series title, with a 3-1 record and 2.90 ERA. He notably beat the Houston Astros twice in the American League Championship Series.

The left-hander's time in the Bronx ended after he was traded to St. Louis for outfielder Harrison Bader.

Shortly thereafter, Montgomery spoke about the pressure he experienced pitching in New York.

"I was always worried about getting booed off the mound in New York," Montgomery told ex-Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia and broadcaster Ryan Ruocco (h/t Justin Tasch of the New York Post).

"The pinstripes are heavy. Not everyone can handle it. I feel like I handled it OK. I could've been better, but there was a lot of things going into that I guess. But here [in St. Louis], I'm just being myself and pitching the way I want to. I guess the fans have kind of embraced me so far."

Montgomery mostly fared well in the Bronx, notably posting a 3.83 ERA in 2021 and a 3.69 ERA in 2022 before being traded.

With the Yankees in desperate need for more starting pitching with Gerrit Cole (nerve irritation and edema in right elbow) out for at least a few months, Montgomery could be a key piece to the rotation.