Cincinnati Reds to Sign Former A's Ace

Frankie Montas could be the piece that helps secure the Reds' first division title since 2012

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Cincinnati Reds are set to sign former Oakland A's ace Frankie Montas to a one year contract worth between $15-16 million. 

Montas was acquired by the A's along with Grant Holmes and Jharel Cotton in a deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers back in 2016 in exchange for Rich Hill and Josh Reddick. Both players the A's sent to LA were on expiring deals, but Montas would stick with the A's until they decided to trade him to the New York Yankees in August of 2022 along with reliever Lou Trivino.

In that deal, the A's netted three members of their current rotation (when healthy) in JP Sears, Ken Waldichuk and Luis Medina, along with minor league infielder Cooper Bowman. Sears was the best starter for Oakland in 2023, posting a 4.54 ERA with a 1.265 WHIP. He had trouble with the long ball, but A.J. Hinch, manager of the Detroit Tigers, thinks that his future could resemble that of his own pitcher, Tarik Skubal. 

As for Montas, he spent six seasons with the A's and held a cumulative 3.70 ERA with a 3.72 FIP and at times he looked like one of the best pitchers in baseball. His splitter is lethal when it's on. 

Montas didn't pitch too much for the Yankees, struggling after the trade to a 6.35 ERA in 2022, then missing most of the 2023 season. If Montas is back to where he was before the trade to New York, he could be a huge piece for the Reds in 2024. In fact, I included them winning the NL Central in my bold predictions for 2024 before this signing. Now they may turn into the favorites. 

One factor to keep an eye on with Montas is his home and road splits. In 2022 he held a 3.28 ERA at home, largely at the pitcher-friendly Oakland Coliseum. On the road he held a 5.59 ERA. With the Reds, he won't have that home field advantage, with Great American Ballpark being one of the most hitter-friendly parks in the game outside of Coors Field in Colorado. 

This is a great signing for the Reds, and if it works out they could end up winning the Central, but it doesn't come without risks.