Bringing in Carlos Rodón from the San Francisco Giants to be the No. 2 behind ace (and hopefully the future Cy Young winner) Gerrit Cole has not paid its dividends yet, and the rotation beyond was mixed throughout 2023 with multiple players hitting the injured list at different times. To wit, 12 different players started at least one game for the Yankees in 2023, with the so-so Clarke Schmidt standing as the only non-Cole pitcher to make at least 20 starts.
Montgomery's development in New York and subsequent trade away is well-trodden ground by now, so we won't belabor the point. The short version is that the 2014 draft pick underwent Tommy John surgery not long after a commendable rookie season in 2017, and after a shaky return in the COVID-shortened 2020, he was a perfectly solid (albeit not spectacular) starter from 2021 until the 2022 Trade Deadline.
After Montgomery was dealt to the St. Louis Cardinals for outfielder Harrison Bader, there was an improvement in his numbers during the second half. He racked up more fWAR in 10 fewer starts and saw a dip in his ERA from 3.69 to 3.11. But fortunately for Yankees fans, Bader mashed the ball in the postseason following a return from injury, so it felt as if Monty was just another former Yankee. The vast majority of the fanbase and his teammates loved him, but it just didn't work out, and that's OK. Even with the lefty's improvements, there were better things to focus on happening in The Bronx. However, as Bader's bat utterly collapsed in 2023, Montgomery's left arm surged once more.
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