Red Sox-Jordan Montgomery rumors seem to be ignoring this important development

There has been yet another surge of rumors that the Boston Red Sox will end up signing marquee free-agent pitcher Jordan Montgomery.

USA Today MLB insider Bob Nightengale has reported that many MLB executives believe Montgomery and the Red Sox are destined for each other. He cites Boston's constant contact with the pitcher compared to the Rangers' occasional check-ins to explain the Red Sox's likelihood of getting a deal done.

But Nightengale's prediction has seemingly missed one crucial element: the Red Sox are cheap now. And Montgomery isn't budging on his asking price.

There have been multiple reports of Montgomery's rumored asking price and they're based on existing contracts signed by other pitchers. Some outlets have reported he's asking for a similar deal to the one Carlos Rodón signed last year with the Yankees at six years and $162 million. Other publications have suggested he's gunning for a deal similar to the Phillies' Aaron Nola at seven years, $172 million.

One might assume Montgomery's price has dropped since the release date of these reports, but WEEI's Rob Bradford has unfortunate news on that front.

Through weeks of check-ins with the Red Sox, Jordan Montgomery's asking price has not come down

Even through many months of discussions with eager clubs, Montgomery has not deviated from his initial price, whatever it is. It's a tough break for Boston.

There were rumors of mutual interest between Montgomery and the Red Sox for a while. He spent his offseason living in Boston with his wife who began a medical residency at a Boston-area clinic. It seems not even mutual interest can talk Montgomery down from his initial price.

Many have argued that Montgomery's price is too high for his pedigree. He's spent the majority of his career as a third or fourth starter and he's a career 3.68 ERA pitcher.

But Montgomery's history doesn't really matter. There is an inherent risk with spending as much money as most MLB pitchers would demand. Sure, the Red Sox are afraid to overpay for experienced help, but the refusal to spend to improve the team makes the front office look even more foolish than if they overpaid for Montgomery.

Boston also seems hung up about committing to players over the long term. Both Teoscar Hernández and Jorge Soler couldn't get the longevity they wanted out of their discussions with the Red Sox this winter.

Boston should make Montgomery an offer at a high average annual value for a shorter period of time before another team swoops in and snags its backup plan. More teams have entered the slow and steady race for his signature along with that of Blake Snell, according to Montgomery's agent Scott Boras — the teams interested have not been released and the statement could be an effort to grant leverage to his clients, but the point still stands that the Sox need to get a move on.

Signing Montgomery could be the saving grace of Boston's offseason in some fans' eyes. The rotation the Red Sox are working with has already fared relatively well in spring training, and adding Montgomery would provide the stability the Sox need.

Fans are aware that the Red Sox have more than enough money to get a deal done with Montgomery. They should do it for the sake of justifying the price of a ticket to a game at Fenway Park this coming season. If the Red Sox think Montgomery's asking price is ridiculous, perhaps they should gauge the fans' opinions on ballpark admissions.

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