3 reasons Yankees’ 2022 MLB trade deadline fell short yet again

2. Frankie Montas Not a “Co-Ace”

This acquisition would be viewed much more favorably had Cashman not gotten rid of another starting pitcher, but the deal must be evaluated in the bigger picture.

Frankie Montas undoubtedly represented an impact move meant to make the Yankees a more capable playoff team, but … the man has pitched in 5.2 postseason innings, has only made more than 20 starts in a season once (he’ll eclipse that mark this year, though), and now has more pressure on him given Gerrit Cole’s struggles, as well as the state of the rotation as a whole.

The good news? Montas, during the regular season, handles the Yankees’ chief division/playoff competition well. He’s got ample experience and success against the Astros, Red Sox, Rays and Mariners. We love that.

But he’s not battle tested. His career high in innings pitched is 187. This is a move to deepen the rotation, but not exactly make it the fearful beast it needs to be for October. We understand, Luis Castillo wouldn’t have exactly been that, either. He has hardly any playoff experience and led the league in losses and walks last year (and was way more expensive in trade talks).

Nonetheless, this could’ve all been avoided in the offseason with an overpay for Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, Kevin Gausman or Carlos Rodón. Maybe if Joe Musgrove had been acquired instead of Jameson Taillon before 2021, that would’ve helped, too.

Sadly, the Montas move should be viewed much more positively, since it was believed the Yankees were deepening their rotation better than anyone in the league until …