MLB Rumors: Athletics Starter Likely To Be Moved By Trade Deadline

Through 53 games in the season already, the Oakland Athletics rank near the bottom of the league's overall standings with a 20-33 record, which is normally a recipe for inevitable roster changes incoming.

Well, those trade rumors are already starting to come out for the Athletics, as MLB reporter Jon Morosi says that it is very probable that the organization will be looking to trade their talented starting pitcher, Frankie Montas, by the trade deadline.

Frankie Montas is likely to be moved by the trade deadline — which is 2 months from tomorrow. @MLBNetwork @MLB https://t.co/2AuUPqatqe
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) June 1, 2022

Morosi says that two possible suitors for the Athletics right-hander are the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago White Sox, which makes perfect sense.

Both teams are currently second in their respective divisions, and will very likely be fighting for a playoff spot for the rest of the year. Adding Montas would certainly bolster the starting pitcher rotation for whichever team is lucky enough to acquire him.

Montas had a very good season last year, sporting a 13-9 record, with a 3.37 ERA and 207 strikeouts. This led to the Oakland starter finishing sixth in AL Cy Young Award voting.

This season, on the other hand, has been a bit of a slow start for Montas. Through 11 games, the Athletics righty has a not-so-great 2-5 record, although Montas can hardly be the one to blame for his record.

Montas has actually improved upon his ERA from last season—with a 3.20 ERA—and it appears that his poor record can be more accurately attributed to the lack of help on the offensive end, rather than with Montas' pitching.

It would certainly be a positive move for Montas and his career if he could find himself on a team with more offensive firepower—such as the St. Louis Cardinals—that could put himself in a better position to win games, especially if he continues to pitch well for the rest of the season.

And so, whether it be the Cardinals, the White Sox, or a dark horse team, it will be interesting to see where Montas ultimately lands by the trade deadline. And, it will also be intriguing to see what sorts of pieces the Athletics can get back, if they pull the trigger on a trade.