Report: Blue Jays join Cardinals, Yankees in Montas pursuit
The Toronto Blue Jays have joined the pursuit of Oakland Athletics right-hander Frankie Montas.
Montas' trade market also includes the New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals, sources told MLB Network's Jon Morosi.
New York and St. Louis were previously connected to Montas, as well as Luis Castillo before he was traded to the Seattle Mariners.
The Blue Jays already possess a strong rotation headed by Jose Berrios, Kevin Gausman, Alek Manoah, and a resurgent Ross Stripling, but they could use another capable hurler given Yusei Kikuchi's inconsistency and with Hyun Jin Ryu out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Toronto entered Sunday's game against the Detroit Tigers with the top wild-card spot in the American League. The team is 12 1/2 games back of the Yankees for the AL East crown.
Montas is one of the top starting pitchers still available before Aug. 2. The 29-year-old owns a 3.18 ERA and 9.4 K/9 for the rebuilding Athletics, who have him under club control until the end of the 2023 campaign.
The seven-year veteran owns a 35-32 record with a 3.73 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 9.4 K/9 throughout his career.
Montas, who's thrown eight solid innings since returning from the injured list, isn't scheduled to pitch before the trade deadline.