Key Piece Of Yankees’ Potent Pitching Rotation Likely To Miss 2023 Season

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Frankie Montas was the Yankees’ biggest trade acquisition at the deadline last August. The righty was a stud with the A’s between 2017 and 2022, and he helped bolster an already potent rotation in the Bronx.

While he struggled a bit with New York (1-3, 6.35 ERA), the expectation was for him to be a key part of a starting pitching lineup that boasts the likes of Gerrit Cole, Nestor Cortes, Carlos Rodon, and Luis Severino.

Many fans around the MLB were ready to crown that quintet baseball’s best, and for good reason.

Cole has won 29 games over the last two seasons and has twice finished as the Cy Young runner-up. Cortes and Rodon received consideration for the award last year, combining to go 26-12, while Severino posted a 7-3 mark with the team in 2022.

Frankie Montas was supposed to round out the rotation to give the Yankees five aces on the mound. Unfortunately, his 2023 campaign could be derailed before ever getting started.

Jeff Passan of ESPN reports that Montas will need surgery this offseason.

Right-hander Frankie Montas, the biggest acquisition for the New York Yankees at the trade deadline last year who was expected to be a big part of their rotation this year, will undergo shoulder surgery on Tuesday that could cause him to miss the season, manager Aaron Boone said.

The news delivers a significant blow to expectations for New York in the upcoming season.

Fans were quick to react to the news, posting responses online.

One fan wrote, “This could turn out to be one of the worst trades of all time.”

Another person said, “Oakland robbed NY blind again.”

The Yankees gave up three of their top 10 minor league prospects in that deal with the A’s. Now, they’ll be without the crown jewel of the agreement.

With or without Montas, the Bronx Bombers will be considered a World Series favorite in 2023 as they return one of the top offenses in the MLB. Add that to the arms on the roster, and they should be dominant on both sides of the ball.

Still, they’ve been unable to get over the hump in recent seasons despite the talent (and payroll) they boast.

New York won 99 games last year but couldn’t get out of the ALCS. The Yankees were swept by the Astros, who then went on to win the title. They’ll likely have to pursue a championship next season without the services of Montas.