Yankees Reportedly Have Discussed Reunion With Star Starting Pitcher

Should the Yankees consider a reunion with the big lefty this offseason?

The New York Yankees still could have at least one major move up their sleeves despite missing out on former Orix Buffaloes phenom Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

Yamamoto was the Yankees' top priority in free agency -- like many other Major League Baseball clubs -- and missed out as he decided to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers to a mammoth deal. 

New York now needs to go back to the drawing board as the club looks to address its starting rotation. There are still some very solid hurlers available who could make sense for New York. One player the club has discussed is former Yankees hurler Jordan Montgomery, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. 

"As it stands, they need at least one more starter after failing to land Yamamoto, and at least internally have discussed a reunion with Montgomery," Rosenthal said. "They also could seek to load up the bullpen. As competitive as their division is, as disappointing as they were last season, they cannot stop."

Montgomery was selected by the Yankees in the fourth round of the 2014 Major League Baseball June Amateur Draft and eventually made his big league debut with the club in 2017. He has plenty of familiarity with the Yankees after spending the first five-plus years of his career in New York.

New York traded Montgomery to the St. Louis Cardinals in 2022 and he began the 2023 campaign there as well. The Cardinals dealt him to the eventual World Series champion Texas Rangers ahead of the 2023 MLB Trade Deadline and now he is a free agent.

The Yankees have been mentioned as a fit on numerous occasions for Montgomery this offseason for obvious reasons. Montgomery has been extremely steady throughout his career and could easily improve the Yankees' rotation. Don't be surprised if the Yankees make a move for the lefty.