The Chicago White Sox had been interested in Oakland A’s pitcher Frankie Montas, but those rumors quickly died on Monday night.
Montas is one the best remaining trade pieces the Oakland Athletics have. Because of that, though, they’re not about to deal him for pennies on the dollar.
The South Siders are without two of their best starting pitchers in Lance Lynn and Lucas Giolito. Chicago also lost Carlos Rodon in free agency in the offseason, so their rotation is suddenly looking rather bare.
Rick Hahn is open for business, and looking for another starting pitcher. Montas won’t be it, however, as was reported on Monday night by FanSided’s Robert Murray, who called the trade ‘highly unlikely’.
Why won’t White Sox trade for Frankie Montas?
Per Bob Nightengale, the Athletics insisted that any trade sending Montas to Chicago would include Andrew Vaughn going back the other way. Chicago rejected said offer, and conversations slowly died thereafter.
In 2021, Montas posted an impressive statline, going 13-9 with a 3.37 ERA and a 3.37 FIP.
Univision’s Mike Rodriguez reported on Monday that the A’s and White Sox were close on said trade, but in reality those talks have broken down.
As mentioned, Lynn is likely out a few months, while Giolito is on the 10-day IL at least, and could miss more time. Montas would be a valuable addition, but one the White Sox would rather not mortgage their future to afford.