Pittsburgh Pirates: Previewing the Left-Handed Starting Pitching Market
The Pirates have signed one LHP SP every off-season in Ben Cherington's reign, so what does this year's market look like?
By Noah Wright
![Aug 4, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery (52) pitches Aug 4, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery (52) pitches](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3721,h_2093,x_0,y_522/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/4/01h9vqabpsqma9qgycq3.jpg)
Jordan Montgomery
If there is one lefty veteran who might still be in the Pirates’ price range and would be a major rotation upgrade, it would be Jordan Montgomery. Monty has a 3.46 ERA, 3.63 FIP, and 1.23 WHIP. His 21.2% strikeout rate and 6.5% walk rate are both nearly in line with his career averages.
But his 0.87 HR/9 rate has been the best of his career thus far. The lefty is basically pitching to his career norms and has consistently been both solid and durable. If I had to choose one free agent to go atop of my Pirates FA wishlist, it would be Montgomery.