COULD JORDAN MONTGOMERY BE THE YANKEES ACE IN 2019?

Source: USA Today

There is so much banter about adding to the starting rotation that an important ingredient to the pitching force has been pushed out of the limelight and therefore the conversation.  When Jordan Montgomery was sidelined after his one-inning start against the Astros on May 1st, it was unclear what would happen to the Yankee pitcher who had proven success in 2017 and whose future looked promising in 2018.  In early June, Montgomery underwent Tommy John surgery and has been in rehab, but at 25-years-old, the recovery is often met with great results so the question is could all this chatter about needing another pitcher be unnecessary? Could Jordan Montgomery be the Yankees ace in 2019?

Source: NJ.com

As Rotowire staff via CBS Sports stated in December, "the typical 12-to-14 month timetable has casted doubt as to whether the left-hander will be fully recovered prior to the end of the 2019 campaign. This is obviously a good sign but everything should be taken with a grain of salt at this point in time. Montgomery still has a lengthy rehab in front of him, so continue to expect updates on his status heading into spring training."

Brian Cashman certainly has not counted Montgomery out but his readiness has not been determined so he may go after one more starter just have more security and give his rotation an extra day's rest for when he does come back.  As we have reported here at Bleeding Yankee Blue in A LOT OF CHATTER ABOUT ONE MORE PITCHER and  CASHMAN MAY HAVE ONE MORE MOVE UP HIS SLEEVE, Gio Gonzalez, Dallas Keuchel, Wade Miley and Ervin Santana are all part of the conversation with Gonzalez bubbling up to the top.

Source: New York Post

"The 33-year-old González pitched to mixed results in 2018 during back-to-back stints for the Nationals and Brewers. He went 10-11 in 32 starts with a combined 4.21 ERA, 4.2 BB/9, and 7.8 SO/9 through 171 innings, and tossed just three postseason innings for Milwaukee before dropping out of the NLCS with a left ankle sprain," reported Yahoo Sports.  The Mets and Padres have also expressed interest in free agent Gonzalez as well.  His inconsistencies could hurt his longevity with any team, but he may be worth a few bucks here in the Bronx while Montgomery continues his rehab and his skill set improves as the 2019 season progresses.

Source: Sporting News

Again, having the option of giving guys an extra day off in the rotation may prove to be a game changer, particularly when inter-league play begins and the long season moves through the hot summer months of July and August.  Masahiro Tanaka in particular seems to need that extra day's rest and although CC Sabathia is a work horse, it is not determined how he will contribute to the team.  He later season performances are often plagued with DL stints due to his knee, but this year, we are also contending with his heart.  And when I say heart I don't mean passion.  There is nothing wrong with that part of his heart but as you recall, Sabathia underwent heart surgery this winter and his health will need to be closely monitored.

I believe that once healthy, Jordon Montgomery will add value to the starting rotation.  Heck, he could rival Luis Severino as the stud of the team quite frankly.  With the start of spring training less than two weeks away, all eyes will be on a number of components of this year's Yankee team and one of those key components has to be Montgomery.  It is everyone's hope that Montgomery's effectiveness is realized soon into the spring workouts and he makes his way back into the rotation contributing to the Yankees' success early on in 2019.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof