As spring training inches closer, the Los Angeles Angels find themselves still on the lookout for a starting pitcher. Among the names circulating in the rumor mill is World Series champion Jordan Montgomery, and Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter sees a potential match between the Halos and the accomplished pitcher.
With fewer teams having both financial flexibility and a need for starting rotation reinforcement, Montgomery’s options are narrowing, especially given his expected asking price exceeding $100 million. Despite minor acquisitions like Zach Plesac, Luis GarcĂa, and Adam Cimber on cost-effective deals, the Angels have made limited moves to address the void left by Shohei Ohtani’s departure in free agency.
Joel Reuter envisions the addition of Montgomery to the Angels’ starting rotation, which already features Reid Detmers, Griffin Canning, Patrick Sandoval, and Tyler Anderson, transforming it into a formidable force.
Montgomery, coming off a strong conclusion to the 2023 season, played a pivotal role in the Texas Rangers’ World Series triumph. The 31-year-old left-hander concluded the season with impressive statistics, boasting a 2.79 ERA, 58 strikeouts, 160 ERA+, 3.27 FIP, and a 1.09 WHIP in 11 starts covering 67.2 innings for the Rangers.
While the sample size is relatively small, Montgomery has consistently maintained a solid performance, never recording an ERA higher than 3.88 over a full season. His robust track record, coupled with a career-high 188.2 innings in the regular season and a career-low 3.20 ERA in 2023, positions him as a reliable option.
Recognizing the Angels’ need for a dependable starting pitcher, Montgomery emerges as a fitting candidate to fortify their rotation. The combination of his consistent performance and recent achievements makes him an appealing choice for the Halos as they seek to bolster their pitching staff ahead of the upcoming season.