Report: Twins still in ‘pursuit’ of Frankie Montas via trade

Chris Bassitt, Matt Olson and Matt Chapman might be gone, but as of Saturday afternoon, Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea are still on the A’s. 

The aforementioned quintet of players went through the lockout knowing they could be traded as the A’s pressed the reset button once again. It took five days for Bassitt, Olson and Chapman to be unloaded for a combined 10 prospects, but it’s been three days since a big trade, which seems like an eternity in A’slandia. 

According to ESPN’s Marly Rivera, Oakland is still in talks with the Minnesota Twins about a possible Frankie Montas trade. The Twins are apparently going all in after signing top available free agent Carlos Correa to a three-year, $105.3 million deal.

Minnesota Twins continue in talks with Oakland in their pursuit of Frankie Montas, sources tell ESPN.

— Marly Rivera (@MarlyRiveraESPN) March 19, 2022

The A’s are already in a precarious position when it comes to their pitching in 2022. The simple question is: Who’s gonna pitch all those innings through a 162-game season?

As it stands now, the team has Montas, Manaea, Cole Irvin and James Kaprielian probably penciled into the starting rotation, with the fifth spot up for grabs. Possible No. 5 starter candidates include free-agent signee Brent Honeywell, Paul Blackburn, Daulton Jefferies and perhaps A.J. Puk if he can ever put it together.

Without Montas, things would get deathly thin in the starting rotation unless the A’s make a free-agent signing or receive an MLB-ready starter in return. For the A’s, Montas would provide the most bang for your buck, given that he’s projected to make $5.2 million in arbitration this year compared to Manaea’s $10.2 million. Other teams know that, too, which could make him a more attractive trade chip. UPDATE: According to Jon Heyman, the Twins are also interested in Manaea.

Twins are among teams still trying for one of Montas or Manaea, the A’s available starters still expecting to be dealt. For all their moves, Twins still need to fortify rotation.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 19, 2022

Montas turns 29 on Monday and doesn’t hit free agency until 2024. When humming, he was probably the most dominant pitcher the A’s had in 2021. Trying to play the guessing game between his dotted 96+ mph fastballs and his devastating splitter is tough for any hitter. 

What an outing by Frankie

7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 10 K pic.twitter.com/ffSma8zETF

— The Rickey Henderson of Blogs (@RickeyBlog) July 30, 2021

The good Frankie has showed up tonight ⛽️ pic.twitter.com/anT6WCqrgv

— The Rickey Henderson of Blogs (@RickeyBlog) July 30, 2021

Montas made 32 starts last year, leading the staff with 187 innings pitched and 207 strikeouts, which ranked fourth in the American League. He posted a 3.37 ERA, 3.37 FIP, 1.18 WHIP and 121 ERA+.

I’d understand if the A’s went all out and dealt Montas and Manaea – no point half-stepping a rebuild – but they better get some more arms in the organization or it will be a loooong year.