All signs point to the Boston Red Sox either signing a big-name starter in free agency or swinging a trade for a top-flight pitcher at some point during the offseason.
One name that keeps coming up is Jordan Montgomery. The left-hander was unstoppable at times during the Texas Rangers' run to the World Series. Adding a frontline starter like Montgomery would certainly bolster Boston's starting rotation heading into the 2024 season.
However, one MLB executive believes that Montogmery is going to be drastically overpaid this winter. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, that exec guessed that Montgomery will get 30 to 40 percent more than he should.
Red Sox rumors: Free agent target Jordan Montgomery could be grossly overpaid
While the Boston Red Sox certainly have the means to pay top-dollar for almost any free agent on the open market, recent history suggests they won't. But will these latest Red Sox rumors take Boston out of the mix for Jordan Montgomery all together?
MLB Trade Rumors predicted before the offseason signings began that Montgomery could land a six-year/$150-million contract.The outlet predicted the exact same number of years and dollars for Aaron Nola.
After watching Nola sign a seven-year/$172-million contract extension with the Philadelphia Phillies, Montgomery will undoubtedly be seeking a deal with a similar payout.
Montgomery went 10-11 last season with a 3.20 ERA and 166 strikeouts in just over 188 innings of work. The southpaw is that top-of-the-rotation starter that Boston's front office and fanbase has been coveting this offseason.
Montgomery bounced around between three different teams during the past two seasons, and it's very likely that he would love to find a permanent home. After more Red Sox rumors emerged recently about Montgomery now residing in Boston to be closer to his wife, the stars seem to be aligning.
Surely these latest revelations won't take Jordan Montgomery off the Boston Red Sox radar altogether, but it definitely gives the fanbase some insight as to what the current market is for a frontline starting pitcher.