It was a matter of when, not if, Frankie Montas was going to be traded. Rumors were already swirling around, with the Dodgers and Cardinals specifically mentioned as being interested in the Oakland A’s ace. His performance thus far in 2022 had only increased his asking price.
And then – disaster. Montas only lasted one inning against the Mariners, allowing a homer to Julio Rodriguez as he faced five batters. As noted by Robert Murray of FanSided, his velocity was down three to four miles per hour, with his fastball topping out at 94.5 MPH.
Frankie Montas situation could be disastrous for Oakland A’s
At this point, almost nothing is known about why Montas was removed. The only thing certain is that it was not related to his being traded, as Martin Gallegos from MLB.com pointed out.
If Montas is injured, this could be a disaster for the A’s. He was the one trade chip that they held on to heading into the season, presumably with the thought that they could get more for him at the trade deadline when contenders are desperate for pitching.
That strategy appeared to be working. Montas had posted a solid 3.20 ERA and a 1.077 WHiP in his 95.2 innings heading into Sunday, striking out 99 batters with just 24 walks. He had continued to be a workhorse, leading the American League in starts and was fifth in innings pitched.
Now, everything comes down to any tests that are being performed. If Montas is injured, and out for any length of time, those hopes for a large haul at the deadline are gone. The best case scenario may be that he misses a start or two, giving him time to prove his health before the deadline. But that may just be wishful thinking.
Frankie Montas was pulled after one inning when his velocity had declined. This could be a disaster for the Oakland A’s plans.