All offseason, the Boston Red Sox have been linked to free agent and 2023 World Series champion Jordan Montgomery.
And even after Boston's front office conceded that its 2024 payroll will likely be less than its 2023 payroll — which was low for a big-market team — the links to Montgomery keep coming.
The latest comes from Jon Heyman of the New York Post. He said the Rangers are still the best fit for Montgomery and believes the pitcher would like to continue his career there. However, Heyman also said Texas would have to "come up with the funds" to sign the pitcher.
The Red Sox were the only other team Heyman named in the race for Montgomery. It's been slow-going, but a race nonetheless — Montgomery has been on the market for months, but there's been little noise regarding a contract for his services.
The two top-tier free-agent pitchers remaining on the market, Montgomery and Blake Snell, both have high asking prices and appear to be looking for long-term deals. It's been reported Snell and his agent have asked for a deal in the nine-year range, and MLB Trade Rumors predicted Montgomery would land a six-year deal.
Red Sox have to have a big move left, no?! This isn’t even half throttle!!! https://t.co/ErgoXrMWEI
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 24, 2024
The Red Sox are still being linked to Jordan Montgomery
Based on the stalling market, it seems unlikely that any team would sign Montgomery or Snell for such long periods. Both lefties come with vary forms of red flags, and paying top-dollar in a weak market isn't what teams are looking to do at the moment.
But if Montgomery continues to have little interest besides Texas, he may be willing to accept a smaller contract. In that case, the Red Sox should shoot their shot.
Montgomery would be a great fit for the starting rotation. He's a left-handed veteran starter and Boston's rotation is sorely lacking an experienced presence among all of the relievers it's trying to turn into starters.
Montgomery is coming off a successful year with Texas, as he won the ultimate prize with the club just months ago. He spent half his 2023 season in St. Louis and he pitched well with both teams. He finished his season with a 3.20 ERA and 166 strikeouts.
But since Montgomery just had such a high-quality season, his price is the highest it'll ever be, especially for a Red Sox team that's trying to remain under the luxury tax threshold for the coming season. If Boston can trade Kenley Jansen and free up the $16 million he's owed, signing Montgomery could be a real possibility.
Regardless of the cost (because Boston can afford him at any price), Montgomery's arm would be a great fit for the Sox's rotation. If the lefty's market continues to remain stagnant, there's no reason the Red Sox shouldn't remain involved to see if they can maneuver.