"I spend more time with them than my own family" - Frankie Montas’ heartfelt farewell after being traded to the Brewers
Frankie Montas got emotional when talking about the special bond he shares with Cincinnati Reds teammates after the right-hander was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline.
Montas will make his way to American Family Field in a deal that involves outfielder Joey Wiemer and veteran pitcher Jakob Junis going the other way. With the Reds trailing by 5 games in the wildcard race, Frankie was allowed to join the division leaders, and he did get, the opportunity to showcase his stuff in the playoffs.
Speaking to Fanatics View shortly after his move was confirmed, Montas said:
"This is a team that helped me a lot, it's probably the toughest time I've had leaving a clubhouse. The relationships that I created here, the way that they welcomed not just me, but my family and kids here, it's definitely tough."
Speaking about how close he grew with his team over the course of the season, Frankie added (1:15):
"I've been with these guys 5 months, 6 months. At that point, I spend more time with them than my own family, so they become family to me, they become brothers to me. [A lot of] Guys that I'm definitely going to miss the rest of the season. All the guys here, especially the starters, the ones I talk to the most, definitely going to miss that."
Come the end of the season, Montas would be a free agent, and he isn't ruling out a potential return to the Great American Ball park in the near future.
"One hundred percent, this is a team I'd love to come back to" Montas said.
Brewers snap up Montas to bolster pitching unit, reunion with pitching coach Chris Hook
The National League Central leading Milwaukee Brewers have added important reinforcement to their pitching contingent in the form of Frankie Montas. With their rotation ravaged by injuries this campaign, this is an important addition to the squad for the Brew Crew.
With this move, Montas heads to his fifth MLB team. He has a 41-43 career record and with a 4.05 ERA in 149 games played. This season, Frankie has a 5.01 ERA with a 1.41 whip, striking out 78 batters. He made 19 starts for the Reds, with a 4-8 Win/Loss record.
Montas' trip over to Milwaukee also brings up a reunion with pitching coach Chris Hook, who's word would have played a key role in the move materialising. Frankie has known Hook for a decade now, going back to when the pitcher was a prospect for the Chicago White Sox and Chris was the team's pitching coach.
Speaking about their latest acquisition, the Brewers pitching coach said:
"The thing about Frankie is he’s been there, he’s done it. There’s not a moment that’s going to overwhelm him. And we know what we’re getting. That’s important at this time of year."
With the playoffs coming up soon, the Brewers faithful will be hoping that Montas can use all the aforementioned experience to his advantage and hold his nerve when the big games come around.