MLB insider has an Orioles trade idea that will make fans wince

The Baltimore Orioles have had a productive offseason and added several pieces to an already strong roster. They added the right handed power bats needed to balance out the lineup and some veterans to help point the young team in the right direction. The only thing the Orioles have not yet added is an ace pitcher, but MLB insider Mark Feinsand has a way to solve that. 

Feinsand addresses the idea of trading for pitchers like Luis Castillo, Dylan Cease, Framber Valdez and a trio of St Louis Cardinals. I agree that Castillo makes the most sense and his piece should have ended there, but Feinsand added one more name to the group. He suggested the Orioles trade for Arizona Diamondbacks lefty Jordan Montgomery. 

Montgomery was a hot commodity going into last offseason after a tremendous postseason performance that helped the Texas Rangers win their first World Series Championship. He landed a one year $25 million deal with the Diamondbacks that included a player option for the 2025 season at $22.5 million. Montgomery followed his career best 2023 season with a career worst 2024 season. It wasn’t just a down year for Montgomery, it was a bad season. So bad that he was removed from the Diamondbacks starting rotation.

Jordan Montgomery has had his ups and downs, but isn't the right fit for the Orioles right now

It’s true the abbreviated spring training may have thrown Montgomery off last season, but he never recovered. He posted career worst numbers nearly across the board and was largely ineffective for a team that was trying to return to the World Series. The Orioles have a lot of starting pitching and could make room for an ace, but not for a project like Montgomery. 

The O’s currently have 11 starting pitchers on their roster. Albert’s Suarez is expected to return to the bullpen and Tyler Wells should be moved there as well when he returns. Even with Bradish on the IL to start the season, the Birds have good pitching depth. Then there’s the cost of Montgomery to consider. 

Feinsand is correct when he said the Diamondbacks would likely eat part of Montgomery’s contract, but just how much? They would probably have to take on nearly half of the $22.5 million Montgomery will make this season after opting into his second year in order to make the Orioles comfortable and that’s a lot of money to pay a player to play for another team. Feinsand doesn’t suggest a specific trade but I can’t imagine the O’s would be willing to part ways with any significant players or prospects for Montgomery. 

The Birds have strengthened their rotation with the additions of Tomoyuki Sugano and Charlie Morton. Grayson Rodriguez is expected to take on a bigger role and Bradish is expected back in the second half. Mike Elias has said that he will “stay in the mode of looking for ways to upgrade the team”, Jordan Montgomery is not that way.