The Chicago Cubs have shown a readiness to invest significantly in enhancing their playoff prospects in the near term by securing Cody Bellinger with an 53 million deal.
However, their spending spree in the offseason might not be concluded, as an unidentified MLB competitor informed Jon Heyman of the New York Post that the Cubs are an ideal destination for free-agent left-handed pitcher Jordan Montgomery. Montgomery is anticipated to sign a six-year, $110 million contract according to Sportrac.
“The Cubs would be an excellent fit for Monty,” the insider remarked. “They have the financial means to bring him on board.”
Heyman pointed out that despite the addition of Bellinger, the Cubs “still appear to be just slightly ahead in the average NL Central,” indicating that the team could benefit from another substantial signing to maximize their recent investments.
Jordan Montgomery May Take the Lead in the Chicago Cubs’ Rotation Despite losing Marcus Stroman to the New York Yankees in free agency, the Chicago Cubs’ starting pitching does not appear to be a significant weakness for the team at the moment. The rotation is expected to be anchored by Justin Steele and Imanaga, making it quite strong at the top.
Dan Szymborski, writing for FanGraphs, suggested that the Cubs may have secured Imanaga at a bargain, with the ZiPS model predicting a tight competition in the division. While ZiPS forecasts some regression for Justin Steele, it is noted that projecting pitchers comes with uncertainties. Both Imanaga and Steele rank just outside the top 10 in NL starter projections, albeit with slightly fewer innings pitched compared to the elite pitchers in the league.
However, if signed, Montgomery would likely become the rotation’s linchpin, especially in terms of innings pitched.
With a 3.68 ERA across seven major league seasons and 140 total starts, Montgomery has shown consistency. In 2023, he boasted a 3.20 ERA split between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Texas Rangers, contributing to a World Series Championship. He is considered a durable pitcher, having thrown at least 157 innings in each of the last three seasons.
Predicting the Potential Deal for Jordan Montgomery Despite assertions that the Cubs have the financial capacity to sign Montgomery, the speculated cost may be a factor in why he remains a free agent well into Spring Training.
For the Cubs, a short-term contract akin to Marcus Stroman’s three-year deal with the club in 2022 could be more feasible for Montgomery, as highlighted by James Neveau of NBC Sports Chicago. A longer-term contract might hinder the development of pitchers like Cade Horton and Ben Brown, and could limit the Cubs’ flexibility in future free agent endeavors, such as pursuing Shane Bieber or Max Fried next year.
Reports vary on whether Montgomery would consider a deal below the projected $110 million market value. While Jim Bowden indicates he might not be inclined towards a short-term “pillow contract” like Bellinger’s, Bob Nightengale suggests that both Montgomery and fellow free agent Blake Snell could be open to such flexible arrangements.
If Montgomery entertains shorter-term offers, the Cubs could face significant competition in acquiring his services.
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