Ex-Cardinals Stud Reportedly Will Land Massive Contract This Offseason In Free Agency

It sounds like one former Cardinals stud is about to receive a massive new contract

One former member of the St. Louis Cardinals is about to get paid in free agency.

Former Cardinals starter Jordan Montgomery will be one of the most sought-after free-agent pitchers this offseason and reportedly could even earn a contract north of $100 million, according to ESPN's Kiley McDaniel. 

"Projected Contract: 5 years, $106 million ($21.2M average annual value)," McDaniel said. "Montgomery flew under the radar for years as a fourth-round pick out of South Carolina who was never a top-100 prospect and doesn't throw that hard or strike out many batters. He has started 140 big league games and delivered over $100 million of value in his cost-controlled years, which already shattered expectations. Montgomery is trending up of late with a career year of 4.3 WAR and a career-high 188⅔ innings with another 31.0 innings of 2.90 ERA pitching in the playoffs en route to a World Series ring.

"Unlike almost every other starting pitcher, Montgomery's (velocity) had steadily gone up in the big leagues, from 90.4 to 93.4 mph over the past five seasons, and his curveball is one of the best in baseball. For teams trying to win the WAR-per-dollar ROI derby, Montgomery probably isn't for you: The models won't recommend nine figures for a soon-to-be 31-year-old lefty with a medium strikeout rate who just had the best year of his life and also the biggest workload."

Montgomery had a stellar 2023 campaign. He began the season with St. Louis and eventually was traded to the Texas Rangers. Montgomery compiled a 3.20 ERA across 32 starts and also impressed in the postseason with the Rangers on the way to a World Series title. 

There's been rumblings that the Cardinals could pursue a reunion with Montgomery this offseason and if they do so it's clear they are going to have to break out the checkbook to get him back. 

More MLB: Cardinals Reportedly Will 'Entertain Offers' For Gold Glove Award Winner This Winter