Blue Jays, Yankees, Cardinals frontrunners for A's Montas

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Frankie Montas. Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Blue Jays, Yankees, and Cardinals frontrunners for A's SP Frankie Montas

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 7/31/22

The rumor mill is heating up as the MLB trade deadline approaches.

One of the names expected to be on the move ahead of Tuesday's 6 p.m. deadline is Oakland Athletics' ace starting pitcher Frankie Montas.

According to MLB Network's Jon Morosi, the market for Montas is beginning to take shape.

While there should be plenty of interest from around the league in the 29-year-old starter, the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, and St. Louis Cardinals have emerged as the favorites to land Montas, per Morosi.

The Frankie Montas trade market is focused on the Blue Jays, Yankees, and Cardinals, sources say.

Montas, who has thrown 8 innings since returning from the IL earlier this month, is not scheduled to pitch again before Tuesday's 6 pm ET deadline. @MLB @MLBNetwork @Sportsnet
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 31, 2022

On Friday, the Seattle Mariners shocked the baseball world, acquiring Cincinnati Reds' All-Star Luis Castillo. The Reds received four players in exchange for Castilo, including three of the Mariners' top five prospects.

Montas is arguably the best starting pitcher still available on the trade market, and chances are the A's be looking for a similar return to the Reds' haul for Castillo.

Montas is 4-9 with a 3.18 ERA in 19 starts this season for the A's. Opponents are batting .233/.284/.372 over 104.2 innings against Montas.

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