MLB Insider Says Cubs ‘Can’t Be Ruled Out’ For Star Free-Agent Lefty
The Chicago Cubs could still be a landing spot for one of the top remaining pitchers on the free-agent market, according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman.
During an appearance on the network Heyman, who also writes for the New York Post, noted that four teams remain logical landing spots for the left-hander, who helped the Texas Rangers win their first World Series last November.
Those landings spots are the Chicago Cubs, the Boston Red Sox, the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Angels. Texas Rangers general manager Chris Young said last week that it was unlikely the team would make any more significant free-agent moves.
When it came to the Cubs, Heyman said “they can’t be ruled out.”
The Cubs have had a relatively quiet offseason, with their most significant move being the signing of Japanese pitcher Shota Imanaga, who figures to be the second or third pitcher in a rotation headlined by Justin Steele.
But, if the Cubs were able to lure Montgomery into the fold, that would change the dynamic of their rotation and give them a left-hander that is coming off an impressive postseason that most thought would increase his value on the free-agent market.
It hasn’t turned out that way.
In the postseason Montgomery went 3-1 with a 2.90 ERA. That was thought to be the perfect launching pad for him to sign a deal north of $100 million. Montgomery also went 10-11 in the regular season, one that started in St. Louis before he was traded to Texas. He had a 3.20 ERA, struck out 166 and walked 48.
Those numbers got better with the Rangers, where he went 4-2 with a 2.79 ERA.
Montgomery is one of four big-name free agents that are represented by Scott Boras, all of whom have yet to sign free-agent deals. The others are former Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger, pitcher Blake Snell and infielder Matt Chapman.
