Pirates Could Target Ex-Yankees Starting Pitcher This Offseason In Free Agency

It sounds like the Pirates could end up looking to land one former Yankees pitcher this offseason

There have been rumblings that the New York Yankees could reunite with one of their hurlers this offseason but it's unclear. 

New York needs to rebuild the starting rotation this offseason and has been linked to top-tier arms like Orix Buffaloes phenom Yoshinobu Yamamoto. While it's likely that Yamamoto may be the club's top choice, New York will need to add multiple arms and will need to add depth, as well. 

One player who has been mentioned as a depth option for the Yankees is Frankie Montas. New York acquired the righty in 2022 from the Oakland Athletics but he hasn't been as successful as expected. Montas made eight appearances with the Yankees in 2022 and compiled a 6.35 ERA. He only appeared in one game with New York in 2023 due to injuries but has been mentioned as a possible reunion candidate.

If he doesn't end up re-signing with the Yankees, one team that could be a fit is the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.

"The Pirates will be looking for some veteran rotation depth, so why not roll the dice with a one-year deal for Montas? The right-hander threw 1 1/3 innings in 2023 after missing most of the season following shoulder surgery and will likely have to take a one-year deal, but if he pitches well, he could be a nice trade chip come July," Feinsand said.

Montas is an intriguing back-of-the-rotation option with upside. He has a career 3.90 ERA throughout his eight-year big league career so far. In 2021 he compiled a 3.37 ERA across a league-leading 32 starts. If he could return to that level of play, he would be a very solid pickup.