The New York Yankees and Oakland Athletics have been heavily connected regarding a potential blockbuster deal this off-season. The Yankees have been interested in star first baseman Matt Olson and third baseman Matt Chapman, who would transfer to the shortstop spot if acquired.
However, another player has entered the mix, mid-rotation pitcher Frankie Montas, coming off a 3.37 ERA season over 187 innings pitched.
CBS Sports believes a blockbuster deal could be in the future for the Yankees and Athletics, including Matt Olson and Frankie Montas:
We’ve seen the A’s trade star players before (Josh Donaldson, Tim Hudson, etc.) and every single time they’ve traded them for cheap players and prospects. They don’t take back money, meaning guys like Gleyber Torres and Luke Voit are unappealing with their $5-plus million arbitration salaries. Prospects and pre-arbitration players are the way to go. Start the offer with infielder Oswald Peraza, righty Luis Gil, and catcher/first baseman Austin Wells, and see what it takes to bridge the gap.
Montas is an intriguing prospect at 28 years old, but 2021 was the first season he pitched over 100 innings. He featured a career-high 4.1 WAR, 3.64 xFIP, and 3.79 SIERA.
The Athletics have control over Montas until 2024, so the Yankees would land themselves a reliable starter with great velocity. Montas currently utilizes a fastball, slider, and split-fingered fastball. He averages out at 96.3 mph, a great number that would undoubtedly entice the Yankees.
On the other hand, Olson is a phenomenal batter, recording a .271 average with 39 homers and 111 RBIs last year. His 16.8% strikeout rate would also be a welcomed statistic for the Bombers, who could use a bit more contact hitting.
Obviously, it will take a serious haul to acquire both players, and CBS includes Oswald Peraza, Luis Gil, and catcher Austin Wells in the deal on the Yankees’ side.
All three prospects have low salary cap hits, given their minor-league contracts. Peraza is expendable given the plethora of minor-league talent the Yankees have at shortstop, but losing Gil would be a brutal hit. Wells is a phenomenal athlete at the catcher position, but arm strength concerns have floated the idea of him taking outfield reps as well.
Nonetheless, if the Yankees were to acquire Montas and Olson, they would be in a great spot to push for the playoffs next season.
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