Former Teams Interested in Texas Rangers Lefty if Jordan Montgomery Hits Free Agency

Texas Rangers starter Jordan Montgomery is trying to reach the World Series, but his two former teams are reportedly interested in getting the lefty back for 2024.

The Texas Rangers have gotten a great return on their investment in Jordan Montgomery, who was a trade-deadline pickup from the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Rangers gave up two prospects — infielder Thomas Saggese and pitcher Tekoah Roby — along with reliever John King. Texas also got reliever Chris Stratton in the deal.

Montgomery started and won Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday over the Houston Astros. The left-hander has made three postseason start for the Rangers.

Jordan Montgomery is 2-0 in three postseason starts with the Texas Rangers / Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

The Rangers, who lead the best-of-seven ALCS 2-0, are not thinking about free agency right now, at least not publicly. But Montgomery is a free agent after this season.

It sounds like other teams will be sniffing around if Montgomery hits the market, and the suitors that are interested are familiar.

Per USA Today, Montgomery’s excellent stretch with the Rangers has caught the eye of his two previous teams — the Cardinals and New York Yankees — and both are reportedly “expected” to pursue a reunion with the lefty.

Montgomery broke in with the Yankees in 2017 and remained with the team until being traded to the Cardinals in 2021 in the midst of a playoff run. With the Yankees, Montgomery went 22-20 with a 3.94 ERA and started one postseason game in 2020.

In what amounted to one full season for the Cardinals, he went 12-12 with a 3.31 ERA. He also pitched in their NL Wild Card series last season.

Montgomery is 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA in three postseason starts covering 17 1/3 innings. He has 13 strikeouts against two walks.

Montgomery was also the Rangers’ most effective starter since the trade deadline. He was 10-11 overall with a 3.70 ERA in the regular season.

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You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.

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