Frankie Montas continues to improve his trade value

It is a matter of time before Frankie Montas is out the door. The Oakland A’s ace is making over $5 million this season, a dollar amount that is certainly reasonable, but one that is far too extravagant for ownership. Add in the fact that he is controlled through 2023, and Montas should be a hot commodity come the trade deadline.

He has not done anything to change those expectations. Despite a pair of rough outings, Montas has put together a solid enough season thus far, having posted a 3.44 ERA and a 0.927 WHiP in his 36.2 innings. He has struck out 37 batters with just nine walks, solid numbers for a top of the rotation arm.

Frankie Montas is doing what Oakland A’s hope for

The inconsistency is still there. He fired seven shutout innings on Wednesday, allowing just four hits and a walk while striking out six batters. This followed his outing on April 29 when he allowed five runs on five hits and four walks over five innings.

Every pitcher is going to have their off nights. The key is to minimize those and find ways to produce a solid outing without one’s best stuff. That is something that Montas continues to struggle with despite entering his fourth full major league season. Maybe he never does figure that out.

That does not change the fact that Montas is going to be one of the top arms available at the deadline. Nor does it change the fact that he has the potential to be a top of the rotation pitcher. It is just a matter of having everything come together. If Montas can put together more of these strong outings with fewer blowups, the A’s could get a transformative return at the deadline.

The Oakland A’s want Frankie Montas to continue to pitch well for their future. They will get a better return as long as that happens.