Many Yankee fans went back to venting frustrations about the Jordan Montgomery trade after the lefty fired seven scoreless innings for the Rangers in their game one win over the Rays in Tuesday’s Wild Card Series opener.
Fans went back to the reports that the Yanks didn’t see Montgomery as part of their 2022 playoff plans, leading to the trade for Harrison Bader, yet there Montgomery was, allowing six hits and no walks while striking out five in October, his first time facing the Rays in the postseason since keeping the Yankees’ season alive in game four of the 2020 ALDS.
While some fans were furious all over again with Brian Cashman and the front office, C-Mac stressed the importance of perspective.
“It doesn’t bother me as much as many other Yankee fans,” C-Mac said. “I don’t think he’s the difference in this team making the playoffs this year…and he’s a free agent anyway. Sometimes, something clicks with another pitching coach. Montgomery has been better.
“Harrison Bader last year, they made a decision for last year’s playoff run, and you can’t argue that Bader was arguably their best hitter in the postseason. He hit five home runs.”
Indeed, the Yankees likely don’t survive the ALDS against the Guardians last October without Bader’s bat, though injuries and a prolonged offensive slump led the Bombers to place him on waivers this season, while Montgomery now has his group on the cusp of advancing. Still, while C-Mac agrees it wasn’t a good trade, it’s not one to lose much sleep over.
“Looking at it now, it’s easy to go back and say ‘What a terrible trade,’” C-Mac said. “But it’s not one that keeps me up at night.”