The St. Louis Cardinals have had a busy Sunday afternoon. And the Texas Rangers have a busy 24 hours. After acquiring Max Scherzer on Saturday from the New York Mets, the Rangers signaled to the rest of Major League Baseball that they aren’t messing around. After placing Nathan Eovaldi on the injured list, the Rangers went out and acquired Jordan Montgomery from the Cardinals.
The Aug. 1 MLB trade deadline is around the corner, and the Rangers and Cardinals swung an interesting deal on Sunday centered around Montgomery. In addition to Montgomery, the Rangers received right-handed pitcher Chris Stratton in exchange for two prospects—infielder Thomas Sagges and right-handed pitcher Tekoah Roby—and left-handed reliever John King.
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
We have acquired RHP Tekoah Roby, LHP John King and INF Thomas Saggese from the Rangers in exchange for LHP Jordan Montgomery and RHP Chris Stratton. #STLCards pic.twitter.com/Eode8GbiCb
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) July 30, 2023
In what has been a lackluster season for the Cardinals, specifically due to their poor starting pitching, Montgomery had been a constant in St. Louis’ rotation. The left-handed pitcher has pitched to a 6-9 record with 3.42 in 121.0 innings pitched this season. Over his last five starts, all coming in July, Montgomery is 1-2 with a 3.10 ERA with a 4.49 FIP in 29 innings pitched this month. He’s struck out 29 batters while walking 12.
Those in the MLB world were quick to react to the news that Montgomery had been traded to Texas:
Wow, this is a haul for Jordan Montgomery. I'm a huge Tekoah Roby fan, and a big Thomas Saggese fan as well.
Roby was set to rank No. 8 in the Rangers mid-season Top 30 at @FSS_PLUS. Saggese was set to rank 10. https://t.co/0lWcsf6EAn
— Joe Doyle (@JoeDoyleMiLB) July 30, 2023
The Ramgers are doing everything they can to win. As a fan you can not ask any more of your owner and GM than this https://t.co/HqpOR8v6mG
— Chuck Cooperstein (@coopmavs) July 30, 2023
Best of luck to Jordan Montgomery in Texas. He was Mr. consistent with the Cardinals. Almost always gave you a shot to win. My favorite moment was his CG against the Cubs at Wrigley with the only run being a Pujols HR #STLCardspic.twitter.com/dWY4ZU39pN
— . (@Rinedog1) July 30, 2023
So the Texas #Rangers improve more than anyone for the pennant race by getting two prized starters in Max Scherzer and Jordan Montgomery, along with reliever Chris Stratton. for their No. 3, No. 11, No. 14 and a fringe prospect.
Pretty, pretty, pretty good.— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 30, 2023
Saggese could've been the most underrated prospect in the Rangers system. Has raked at every stop, can play all over the infield, well above average feel to hit, sneaky pop. Dare I say shades of Brendon Donovan?
Roby is a talented arm, mid 90s fastball, nasty curve, slider and… https://t.co/U62yJfkS4z
— Aram Leighton (@AramLeighton8) July 30, 2023
We’ll have to see how this trade plays out for both teams.
