Orioles Could Land Ex-Cardinals Hurler After Dominant Season In 'Difference-Making Move'

It sounds like the Orioles could be in the mix to land one former Cardinals hurler

One former member of the St. Louis Cardinals is garnering significant interest in free agency.

Former Cardinals pitcher Jordan Montgomery is one of the top free-agent starting pitchers and already has been linked to a handful of teams. Montgomery is a very intriguing player to watch out for and although he has been mentioned as a reunion candidate for the Cardinals, a move seems unlikely at this point.

St. Louis already has landed Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn, and Kyle Gibson so they may not want to pay the price Montgomery will command. One team that could look to land Montgomery, though, is the Baltimore Orioles, according to The Athletic's Jim Bowden.

"The Orioles are one strong starting pitcher away from being a World Series team, and adding Montgomery (not to mention taking him away from the Rangers) could be that difference-making move," Bowden said. "Montgomery, who will turn 31 at the end of next month, showed in October that he's a big-game pitcher. He's also proven to be consistent as he's posted an ERA under 4.00 in each of the past three seasons.

"He made 32 starts this year and logged a 3.20 ERA. But Montgomery really increased his free-agent value in the postseason, particularly against the (Houston Astros) in the (American League Championship Series), when he dominated, going 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA over two starts and one relief appearance."

St. Louis traded Montgomery to the Texas Rangers ahead of the trade deadline but there still was speculation about a possible reunion. The Cardinals seem to have gone in a different direction, but a move would make perfect sense for the Orioles. Baltimore needs to add another arm and Montgomery would be a step in the right direction. 

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