Less than 24 hours after making a deal for pitcher Max Scherzer, the Texas Rangers upgraded their roster again by acquiring pitchers Jordan Montgomery and Chris Stratton from the St. Louis Cardinals.
We’ve acquired LHP Jordan Montgomery, RHP Chris Stratton & International Bonus Pool Money from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for INF Thomas Saggese, RHP Tekoah Roby and LHP John King. pic.twitter.com/4woVxP2Ico
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) July 30, 2023
6-9 on the season with a 3.42 ERA, Montgomery has been the best starter on the Cardinals since they traded for him at last year's trade deadline.
He is familiar with the American League after beginning his career with the New York Yankees from 2017-22 and gives the Rangers another left-handed starter to compliment struggling lefty Andrew Heaney.
#Rangers Jordan Montgomery
— MLB Quality of Pitch (@qopbaseball) July 30, 2023
2023 Pitch Quality ⭐️
5.25 QOPA (Top 3% MLB) ✅
Sinker 6.08 QOPA (Top 4%)
Fastball 5.15 QOPA (Top 9%)
ChangeUp 4.84 QOPA (Top 12%)
Vertical Break (Top 2% MLB) ✅
Sinker VB (Top 2%)
Curveball VB (Top 3%)
Fastball VB (Top 4%)#StraightUpTX pic.twitter.com/cK4Vw7WYHN
Stratton is a serviceable arm in the bullpen, he has posted a 1-1 record with a 4.36 ERA over 53.2 innings pitched this season and is averaging a career-low 2.85 BB/9.
In return for Montgomery and Stratton, the Rangers shipped out their No. 11 and 14 ranked prospects in Double-A pitcher Tekoah Roby and infielder Thomas Saggese as well as relief pitcher John King.
With pitcher Jacob DeGrom lost for the season and Nate Eovaldi now on the injured list with a right forearm strain, the Rangers had to go outside the organization to make some upgrades even if it cost them premium prospects.
With one of the best offenses in all of baseball, the Rangers will need quality innings from their new acquisitions to help keep hold of their lead in the American League West.
Montgomery is due to be a free agent after this season, but there's always the chance they could work out a contract extension before he hits the open market.
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