Jordan Montgomery is close to signing a contract with the Red Sox for an undisclosed sum.
As spring training begins with pitchers and catchers reporting, the top starter Jordan Montgomery remains unsigned as of now. On January 8, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand anticipated that the left-hander, a client of agent Scott Boras, would secure a deal with a team soon, even suggesting it could happen “by next week.”
Montgomery’s prolonged presence on the free agency market has surpassed expectations, making a deal in the imminent days a plausible scenario. Yet, there’s no clear frontrunner in the race to sign the 31-year-old, with both the Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox expressing interest in his services.
Feinsand speculated that Montgomery might reunite with the Rangers if they can agree on contract terms. However, insider Jon Morosi remains hesitant to discount the Red Sox as potential contenders for his signature.
Morosi suggested, “The Rangers are the favorites to sign [Montgomery], but I wonder if the Red Sox could make a late push by clearing salary with a Kenley Jansen trade.”
Throughout the winter, the Red Sox have been associated with Montgomery, particularly given his recent relocation to Boston. Montgomery’s wife, McKenzie Dirr, is undergoing a residency at a hospital in the city, and he has been training at Boston College this offseason. While these circumstances might provide the Red Sox with an advantage in signing him, no official announcement has been made yet.
Montgomery’s market has been active throughout the winter, and despite many other free agent pitchers finding teams, he remains one of the premier starters yet to be signed. In the 2023 season, Montgomery showcased his skills with 32 regular-season starts split between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Rangers.
During this time, he achieved an impressive 3.20 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP, and tallied 166 strikeouts. Additionally, Montgomery contributed to the Rangers’ successful playoff run, making six appearances, including five starts, and recording an ERA of 2.90 with 17 strikeouts.
Regardless of the team Montgomery ultimately signs with, it’s expected that he will command a significant contract.
On November 6, 2023, MLB Trade Rumors’ Tim Dierkes, Anthony Franco, and Steve Adams projected Montgomery to seek a six-year deal worth $150 million this offseason. Additionally, ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel predicted on November 9 that Montgomery could secure a five-year contract valued at $106 million. These forecasts suggest that Montgomery’s annual average value (AAV) could fall within the range of $21-25 million.
Montgomery’s impact was evident in the Texas Rangers’ historic World Series victory, marking a significant milestone for the franchise. Although acquired mid-season, his contribution was pivotal to their playoff success, underscoring his value to the team. Looking ahead, Montgomery could assume an even more crucial role in the upcoming season.
With key starters Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer sidelined at the start of the season, and uncertainties surrounding their return in 2024, the Rangers face challenges in their pitching rotation. Additionally, Tyler Mahle, another important pitcher,
is expected to remain on the injured list due to Tommy John surgery. To maintain competitiveness in the upcoming season, the Rangers require a reliable ace to anchor their rotation until the return of their injured starters. Montgomery has already demonstrated his capability to fulfill this role effectively for the team.
The Boston Red Sox are also in dire need of bolstering their starting pitching, and Montgomery would seamlessly slot into the top of their rotation. In the 2023 season, Boston’s starting rotation struggled, posting a disappointing 4.68 ERA, ranking 22nd in MLB. With the departure of ace Chris Sale and the arrival of newcomer Lucas Giolito, the rotation’s outlook for 2024 appears uncertain and potentially even more challenging.
However, Montgomery’s anticipated contract value poses a significant obstacle for the Red Sox. The financial considerations associated with acquiring Montgomery could potentially thwart any deal between the pitcher and the team. Unlike the Red Sox, the Texas Rangers have a reputation for being willing to invest heavily in acquiring top talent, which may give them an advantage in negotiations due to their willingness to spend.
