Jordan Montgomery’s market took a hit yesterday when Rangers general manager Chris Young threw cold water on the possibility of more acquisitions before Opening Day. “I don’t think there are any additions coming at this point,” Young told reporters, citing the organization’s diminished local broadcasting revenues on their contract with Diamond Sports Group.
While Young noted the team will “keep an open mind,” it’s clear the organization isn’t anticipating a significant splash. That’s something Young implied as far back as late November and has been supported by reporting from Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, who has suggested throughout the offseason that the team was unlikely to bring Montgomery back.
Nevertheless, there’d been chatter throughout the winter that the left-hander preferred to stay in Arlington and was hopeful of working out a deal once the Rangers finalized their TV contract to remain on Bally Sports for the upcoming season. While their 2024 TV deal was approved last week, Young’s comments from yesterday indicate it doesn’t meaningfully change the organization’s spending outlook.
That shouldn’t be surprising. Throughout the offseason, the Rangers have likely had an idea of the reduced rights fees they’d need to accept if they wanted to keep their deal with Diamond for another year. More meaningfully, there’s still legitimate concern throughout MLB about the local broadcasting arrangement’s viability for 2025 and beyond.
If the Rangers are out of the market, where do things stand for Montgomery six weeks before Opening Day?
Teams With Reported Interest
Angels
The Angels have been loosely tied to both Montgomery and Blake Snell. They explored trade possibilities for a top-of-the-rotation arm during the Winter Meetings and came away empty-handed. After flirting with the competitive balance tax in 2023, their CBT payroll sits almost $50MM below the threshold for the upcoming season. The Halos seem like one of the top suitors for Snell or Montgomery on paper. That’s clouded by an ownership group that frequently pursues puzzling half-measures.
Owner Arte Moreno told Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register yesterday that he was “(setting) the budget lower” for the upcoming season. “I’m not going to spend money just to show that we’re going to spend money unless it’s going to substantially change the team,” he added. Perhaps Montgomery qualifies, and the Halos could sign him while remaining well below last year’s spending level, but those comments don’t portend a late-offseason spree.
Giants
At points this offseason, the Giants have been tied to all four of the remaining top free agents. Cody Bellinger is a tough fit after the Jung Hoo Lee signing. The other three (Snell, Montgomery and Matt Chapman) could all still be targets. Roster Resource projects the Giants around $213MM in luxury tax obligations. This year’s base threshold sits at $237MM. Adding Montgomery for somewhere in the $20-25MM range on an annual basis would push them right against that line. The Giants have paid the CBT three times in franchise history but haven’t gone over that line since 2017.
Red Sox
Aside from Texas, the Red Sox have probably been linked to Montgomery most often throughout the winter. Boston ownership has said they don’t anticipate matching last year’s spending. The Sox opened last season with a luxury tax number approaching $226MM. Roster Resource projects their CBT figure for the upcoming season around $198MM. Adding Montgomery would push them towards last year’s line but not all the way. It certainly wouldn’t require they surpass the $237MM mark. Alex Speier of the Boston Globe wrote this week that the Sox were keeping an eye on Montgomery’s market but suggested they’re unlikely to make a serious push unless the left-hander considers a short-term deal.
Big-Market Opportunists?
Mets
The Mets were loosely linked to Montgomery in the early days of the offseason. It doesn’t seem they showed serious interest. After their pursuit of top target Yoshinobu Yamamoto fell short, they pivoted to lower-cost fliers on Luis Severino and Sean Manaea and brought in Adrian Houser via trade. There’s still a case for the Mets to add Montgomery to the upper half of the rotation, but it’d come at a significant cost. The Mets are paying a 110% tax on all spending since they’re in the highest luxury tax bracket and surpassed the threshold in three consecutive seasons.
Phillies
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale wrote on February 4 that some executives throughout the industry believed Philadelphia could be a dark horse candidate for one of the top remaining free agents. MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki wrote last week that the Phils didn’t anticipate landing a marquee free agent unless their market collapsed. Zolecki indicated the Phillies would have interest in Montgomery if he took a deal in the three-year range or shorter. If the southpaw pivoted to that kind of proposal, it’d very likely bring in a number of suitors. Philadelphia already has a long-term commitment to Aaron Nola and is trying to keep Zack Wheeler beyond this year.
Yankees
The Yankees checked in with Montgomery early in the offseason. That shows they’re not categorically opposed to bringing him back after trading him at the 2022 deadline because they felt he wasn’t in line to start for them in the postseason. Montgomery threw a jab at the organization before helping Texas to a World Series, telling The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal in early October that “(The Yankees) might have given up on me, but I think it was the best thing for me to get to the Cardinals and get set up with Mad Dog (pitching coach Mike Maddux, who went to the Rangers in 2023). Our pitching philosophies are much closer.”
That didn’t prevent the Yankees from checking back in with Montgomery early this offseason, although they clearly didn’t find his asking price palatable. New York subsequently signed Marcus Stroman but they traded Michael King and a host of depth starters in the Juan Soto deal. The Yankees are into the fourth tier of luxury penalization, so any signing would come with a 110% tax on top of whatever they owe the player.
Dark Horses
Orioles
Baltimore made their long-awaited consolidation trade for an ace last month. Even with Corbin Burnes in the fold, there was an argument for adding another high-end starter to put the finishing touch on an excellent roster. That was true before this morning, but the revelation that ostensible #2 starter Kyle Bradish has a UCL sprain and will begin the season on the injured list could add urgency. The O’s have a projected player payroll in the $96MM range. That’s nearly $40MM above where they started last season but is still a bottom five figure in MLB. With new ownership arriving in the coming weeks and a young core set up to compete throughout the decade, could Baltimore finally make a notable free agent strike under GM Mike Elias?
Cubs
Chicago signed Shota Imanaga to a four-year deal to join the rotation with Justin Steele, Kyle Hendricks and Jameson Taillon. Chicago has in-house options for the fifth spot — it looks like a battle between Jordan Wicks, Javier Assad and perhaps Hayden Wesneski — but Montgomery would be a clear upgrade. The Cubs are already above last year’s spending but remain almost $30MM shy of the tax line. It seems likelier that Chicago would pursue Bellinger or Chapman if they’re still exploring the top of the market, but it’s not entirely out of the question they make a run at another starter.
Twins
Minnesota is an extreme long shot, largely on account of their own TV revenue concern. The Twins have kept their payroll right around the $125MM mark all offseason. The Athletic’s Dan Hayes reported at the beginning of the winter that they were targeting the $125-140MM spending range, down from last year’s $154MM mark. Minnesota lost Sonny Gray and Kenta Maeda and has explored rotation additions, but they’re much likelier to add a low-cost arm in the Michael Lorenzen range.
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There aren’t many teams that clearly remain positioned to offer Montgomery a five- or six-year term at $25MM annually. MLBTR predicted a six-year, $150MM pact at the beginning of the offseason. Early reports suggested Montgomery wanted to beat the seven years and $172MM which Nola secured to remain in Philadelphia.
If he pivots to a shorter-term pact, that’d bring most of the teams mentioned above more firmly into play. Perhaps clubs like the Cardinals or the Rangers could also circle back. For a few reasons, however, Montgomery probably prefers to max out the guarantee this winter.
It’s hard to envision him elevating his free agent stock beyond where it currently sits. He’s coming off a career-best 3.20 ERA and was a key part of a World Series run. He’ll turn 32 next December, raising questions about how many prime years he’s still marketing. Teams’ concern about TV revenues could be just as strong next winter as they are now. Montgomery would also run the risk of being burdened by draft compensation if he returns to free agency in a year or two. The midseason trade sending him from St. Louis to Texas rendered him ineligible for the qualifying offer this time around. He may not be so lucky if he tries to give free agency another shot.
He will be a Phillies. DD always works in the dark
Im not impressed unless he can pee in the dark as well..
One time I was peeing off the Ben Franklin bridge at night. I looked to my left and saw DD doing the same. He looked at me and said “Boy. This water sure is cold.” What a legend.
Haha! Dave Dongbrowski
…and you replied with ” And deep” right?
At least the rocks on the bottom were all pretty smooth.
Then you turned away asking if he would sign Montgomery and when you looked back he vanished like batman.
He did, and DD exclaimed “anchors up” as he zipped back up.
I agree ! Phili in the lead at this point.
Sucks for baseball so many big market teams are out on this guy ! Red Sox are the ones who really need him !
Philly is close enough with his wife in Boston doing her residency but I’m still thinking the Sox will eventually come up with an offer he’ll sign on to.
I wouldn’t put Philly in the lead because I’ll sure he’s looking for a longterm deal.
At this point, I’ll loan him my flashlight, but he’s just not going to find what he was looking for.
Red Sux won’t spend any money. Chaim Breslow’s purse is wedged too tight with coins that just can’t get out.
Big pockets, short arms.
I think SF and Red Sox have a larger need and could get a nice upturn in ticket sales. Plus cranky fans might be stocking up on pitchforks and torches to storm the Castle before too long.
Need to create preseason hope/buzz. Sells some tickets.
Possible worse news for NL East teams besides PHI or ATL if he signs there. All NL have to plan to be able to defeat LAD in postseason
I’d be surprised if he signs with MIN.
I don’t know if he has a short list of geographical preferences.
LAA has a need but scar tissue from previous pitching contracts mean they don’t make convincing offer or at all. Team construction reminds me of ithe NYM who may be expecting to lose Alonso soon.
Not exactly Ohtani( Offense and SP)
Long Longshot ALL ALL IN HOU. BAL maybe The Future IS NOW!
StL Part 2 is a good place to be.
I just saw MLB.com says BAL RHSP Kyle Bradish has a right UCL sprain.
This injury could linger (rest might not solve) or require surgery. BAL has other candidates but Montgomery looks like a good idea. 5 years for _____ ?
Todd Zolecki just wrote today the Phillies would only be interested in a 1-2 year deal.
Gee, it sure is starting to look like Boras’ clients won’t be getting the contract lengths that ol Scotty was telling them all to expect.
Thank you ownership!!! Not that I am in ownership corner. I’m just in the corner of common sense.
Not usually. At least with Detroit, DD never wanted Prince Fielder. The owner, Mike Ilitch (great owner and RIP), made him get him because he paid out of his own pocket to make the Tigers good. That’s why Fielder got $254 million at the last minute. Maybe DD may have struck late with Boston or Philadelphia as well, but when it happens late, it’s usually the owner panicking and telling him to get a guy.
And trades away the farm
I think Baltimore makes the most sense. Snell fits the mold of a late signing for DD much better. The perfect team in my opinion for Monty would be the Braves. He just seems like the type of player they have been all over in the past. It’s too bad they don’t seem to be in on the market much this year.
The giants, RS, and twins all seem like the most logical fits but their owners are all so cheap and have committed to lowering payroll.
Yes. Payroll must always go up. Always. It’s unfortunate, but if payroll goes down next year, the cheap ass Dodgers ownership will be at fault.
Tacoshells, The Giants’ offer to Judge was equal to what he took from the Yankees. The offers to Ohtani and Yamamoto, were equal to what the Dodgers gave them. They agreed to pay Correa $350M. Some claim they overpaid for Lee, and Hicks. But somehow you conclude that the Giants’ ownership is cheap?
The Giants have committed to lowering payroll? They’ve spent more than most this offseason and payroll is going up significantly.
I’m not sure on the Giants but the other two are correct
That the Rangers are still squirming over a TV deal while residing in a market the size of D/FW is somewhat comical
They recently committed half a billion to future payroll, and their main revenue source is shrinking and possibly in jeopardy of stopping. What business do you run?
Average Texas Rangers ticket price $39.
Average Texas Rangers attendance 2023 was 31,000.
81 regular season home games.
Regular season gate receipts alone = $98MM
Approx regular season concessions sales = $32MM
That’s $150MM+ in game day revenue with merchandise sales.
TV revenue does not outperform game day revenue for MLB teams with decent attendance. In jeopardy of stopping is wildly inaccurate. There is absolutely no chance the Rangers wouldn’t be able to secure any TV deal in the future. It might continue being smaller than it originally was, but it’s just plain ridiculous to claim it’s in jeopardy of stopping.
@styme I don’t think he meant it’s comical they are squirming as much as it’s comical somewhat that it’s even an issue given the size of the market and that they just won a championship. Tv may not be the largest chick of revenue but I do agree from a business perspective, it is a sizable source and the uncertainty would make any business squirm. To a certain extent I think all teams are concerned with figuring out where the future of sports broadcasting is going as technology changes and demographics alter in the next decade. But for now it’s a fair point that a team in the DFW market should not be wondering if they will have a deal at all in the near future, but then again neither should the pac-12 and the lack of one destroyed the conference overnight.
I don’t believe Montgomery is that different a pitcher than he was with the Yankees. He has hot periods when his command is on, and goes cold when it’s off. He had a nice run at the end, but the Rangers never got the cold Montgomery. He’s valuable as a fringy third starter. Problem is he wants to be paid more like a front-end starter. He’s not getting $150MM+. He can try, but it’s not working.
As a NYY fan I’ve been saying this for awhile, but most folks here think differently. They see short term gains as being the end all of his career and it’s not. He’s got holes that that drop him down a few notches.
I also look at everything through a fantasy baseball perspective and he is drafted nowhere near an ace or even a number 2.
His consistency through three teams equals in my book at least a #2. Andy Pettitte without the ROIDS distraction. Since the WS is not the one and done Super Bowl, you need more than one QB. Monte has been underappreciated his entire career.
I’m a Monty fan and he’s a guy you want on the team but not a guy you break the bank for.
This is right. He’s solid, not spectacular. Be happy having him, but as a Yankees fan, knowing that their roster has several injury-prone players, is the cost of adding him (plus CBT tax) so great that it makes it difficult to fill other holes you know are going to emerge?
He’s different than he was with the Yankees, and much more consistent. The problem with him is his age, not his performance. He’s asking for a 5 or even 6 year deal, and that’s the problem. If he would accept a shorter deal, he’d have people crawling all over him offering $25-30m a year.
I keep thinking 5-125 seems reasonable for him but idk if he agrees
He’s definitely not a fringe 3. He’s a solid 2 who is trying to get paid like a legit 1. That’s the problem. If his demand was like 5/100 or thereabouts, he’d probably have signed already.
Monty isn’t asking 30+ a season to my knowledge.
The entire Montgomery was a Yankee, he pitched very well and since leaving New York, has pitched better. Some of that probably has to do with better defenses, some of it probably has to do with different eyes/voices giving him advice and some of it probably has to do with pitching in more forgiving ballparks.
And let’s face the facts, in todays market, good threes get 25 million per season, a three that’s been producing like a 2 even better.
Didn’t he want to surpass the Nola deal? I thought he wanted like 200.
$30M+ per year is only for top of the line Aces. Montgomery probably isn’t asking for that much (at least probably not anymore), but he likely wants $25M+ per year, which is the going rate for lesser #1 starters like Sonny Gray, whereas as mentioned Montgomery is a solid #2 starter.
25 per year would be his ceiling imho, if he was willing to take a 3 year deal. 4/90 or 5/100 are more realistic deals, I think.
A solid #2? Pitch like he has for the last 3 years for long enough, and they put you in the Hall of Fame.
5/100 seems a little light given the current market. I’d say 5/$115 is a little more realistic for Monty.
Agreed…and it sounds like, from his own comments, that he would prefer to stay with the Rangers and PC Maddux. But since they’re squirming over the TV deal, he won’t be offered the long term deal Boras was seeking for him. So, if he really wants to return to Texas for a full season, he should accept a 1-year deal (perhaps with mutual 2nd year option) to sign with them. Or just move on and take a 3+ year deal somewhere else… Boston to be close to “home” where his wife is currently working? Oh, and fire Boras to go with another agency!
Assuming he gets 5 years and maybe a 6 year option I think he can get 150M or VERY close 145M) Plus there are always early spring training injuries that makes a GM to pull the trigger finally.
He wants to have some ST time (could get some extended ST or some AAA time) but he might be better off waiting another 2 weeks or so
He’s not an Ace, but he is a solid #2. He’s had a “nice run” for two entire seasons now, and his 2021 season was also pretty good despite lesser command that year.
Look at his overall stats and compare to Andy Pettitte who while not being a #1, always had the rotation set so he pitched in the pivotal game. Monte has not been spectacular but is deserving in today’s game $140m to $160m over six years.
Pettitte WAS an #1 and an Ace for much of his career, not counting the times he was technically a #2 due to being teammates with an even better Ace!
Montgomery is nowhere near Pettitte’s level.
Andy Pettitte was never an ace bro. He was fringe #2 upper echelon #3 who was clutch in the postseason.
Maybe before teams spent their budgets, but now that’s more than the market can handle. Boras shouldn’t have taken the winter off.
#2 starters don’t consistently get over 10% of votes on Hall of Fame ballots even with as much baggage as Pettitte has.
Never an Ace? He had 4 top 5 finishes for the Cy including being the runner up as a 24 y/o in the steroid era and have you seen his stats for 2005? He was a number #2 because Clemens was his teammate for so long. He even followed him to Houston.
Yeah I watched Andy Pettitte entire career. He was never an ace during the regular season. He’s posted an ERA over 4 eight times in his career to go along with less than 7 strikeouts per 9 innings. A 3.85 career ERA with over 3300 innings pitched with a little over 2400Ks and a whip of 1.351 doesn’t suggest that he’s an ace. Those are the numbers of a good #3 starter . If you want to put him in the HOF based on his postseason work that’s much a better argument to be made.
Agree, his value is over estimated this year because the FA class is so shallow. He’ll likely sign a 3-4 deal around $100. For better or worse…
I actually think the market was robust and in some ways bloated with many arms around the same level. No true aces were attainable (Yamamoto a mystery, Ohtani hurt, Snell inconsistent, Gray aging, etc.).
Monty allegedly wanted 200 million, which was always absurd. Even going for the deal Rodon got last year was ill-advised because Rodon had shown ace-level upside when healthy. Monty – while a good pitcher with big game success – has never delivered an ace season, let alone multiple ace seasons.
Monty should have been asking for 5-6 years at 100-115 million. That’s basically the range of Gausman and Ray from a couple of years ago, which would have been fair.
I think you fellas are correct he is not a ace or even a number 2 but perhaps he is trying to market himself as a umber 2 hoping teams panicked over the dodgers will be desperate to make any move to improve their staff, personally I think he ends up on a two year deal with a one year opt out.
30 year old, 6’6” lefty. Whats not to love about this guy? As a Giants fan, I feel he is the perfect fit, especially if its only a 3 year deal.
Jack Hoffman I would even be ok with a 4 or 5 year deal given the need for the new kids to have mentorship, but since they got Ray perhaps they feel that need is met. I don’t o would like to see Montgomery or perhaps a two time cy young award winner mentoring the kids coming up into the majors and taking the pressure of them to preform a bit so they can develop in the majors over the next year or two.
“Beat the 7 years and 172M that Nola”…Everyone’s trying to break or set records. Why not focus on getting a fair, good deal for your talents, instead of pretending to be some civil rights pioneer looking out for the multi millionaires that come after you? It’s no wonder why so many of these multi millionaires are unsigned.
I believe that’s the negative affect Boras-led clients have had on these individual markets and baseball contracts in general: it’s always about setting each deal higher than the last. That always the end-goal and teams have been willing to do it. But, it seems that it finally isn’t going to happen for several of his clients, nor should it, imho.
It’s not teams willing to do it. Every owner would love to keep those millions. It’s the fans that are willing to do it. We pay the bills and should have revolted a long time ago. I remember back in the 90s when Jordan got his $30m contract for one year with the Bulls and the fans all thought it was worth it. I quit going to games a long time ago the day I realized the players see us as a nuisance. Chris Stewart the backup catcher for the Yankees told my 6 year old boy no when he asked to get his jersey signed for his birthday. I really get irritated when I see my cable company shelling out all of this money and my bill going higher and higher yet I never watch football, basketball or any sport on tv. I do listen to Yankee games on the internet though.
Record setting mentality is definitely a problem. Especially in Montgomery’s case because he’s not better than Nola.
As a counter point; we know Ownership seeks bigger gains year after year (which they should), so why shouldn’t the Players seek year after year gain?
I’m on some “it’s the cycle of business” stuff.
Everybody makes more, but the %’s of the money pie are the battle lines. Obviously holding the money is the better negotiating position, so it favors the Ownership.
Don’t hate the player, hate the game.
My interest is the fans. I like fans getting to watch great players play on their team.
I’m not opposed to players making large sums. But at a certain point, the demands are absurd and the result is a player sits around indefinitely waiting for a contract that will never be offered. Sign a quality deal with a team and get ready for the season so the fans can watch you perform.
@Wags: well said Wagner. It really has become a situation where the agents – especially Boras – are trying to make a name for themselves.
Seeking it is fine. Realizing that’s not the reality of your situation is also fine. Revenue for the owners doesn’t always go up, either.
I can easily see the 25mm he wants but I just don’t see him passing the 4-5 year range. Gray got 3/75 and is 100% in the same tier as Montgomery and near the same age.
Gray is about three years older. 5/125 seems fair.
I think the Gausman deal is appropriate for Monty. No higher than what Ray got though.
Perfect comparison with Ray. Gausman did have all of those injured years in Baltimore. As far as I remember Monty only had the one TJS injury. Gray shyte the bed in NY, Monty didn’t. I’m sure that shrunk the teams interested in Gray.
Fire Scott Boras and he’ll probably be signed by the end of the week
I totally agree, Boras wants his cut
Angels, Orioles, Giants & Cubs. That’s plenty of interest for Monty and Snell to get a good deal. Whichever team misses out on one will likely pivot to the other. It is a bit surprising that neither has signed yet, however.
Question is are those team really that interested. O’s don’t seem to want to spend any money. Giants seem more focused on offense and the angles are reducing payroll. That leaves the cubs and they also seemed more focus on offense. This leaves a pretty thin market wit the prices boras has. While they will both sign for a good deal I think the price will be coming down.
Monty to the Twins on a 3-4 year deal would be nice. But in that case we should have just re-signed Grey
Why wouldn’t the Cardinals be interested??
They have five SP’s and most of them they’ve promised spots in the rotation to. They’re done.
True. But I think if his market fizzles enough and if someone gets hurt during ST, they could strike a deal. Maybe a 4 year deal with an opt out after the second year.
With what money? There’s no way Montgomery’s market will fizzle THAT much.
StL has shown some creative structuring in recent years. They could back load the deal like they did with Contreras and Gray.
They’d have to backload to an insane degree to where Monty only makes about $5M this year. Even if both sides were willing to do that, it would hurt the Cardinals’ payroll flexibility too much in the near future along with the backloaded Gray deal and the deferred payments to Wainwright and even Pujols ($2M per year from 2021-2030 or something like that).
The cardinals should be interested and they have the money to spend, if they really wanted to contend for post season play they would move on him. But the fans fill the stands DeWitts pockets regardless.
What money to spend? They’ve already surpassed last year’s Opening Day payroll, and they certainly didn’t get any playoff revenue last year.
They’ve already maxed out their payroll aside from a few million being saved for trade deadline. They couldn’t afford another $10M deal at this point, let alone one of over $20M per year.
Cardinals have not maxed out their payroll. DeWitt already said that if a FA is available, that Mozeliak can spend money to get that FA.I believe Montgomery falls in that category.
Mo already used up all the dry powder paying Lynn 11M, Matz 12M, and Wilson 13M. One of those three should give us a good year, right? 36M for three guys, who, if we’re lucky, might produce the combined stats for one effective #2 starter this year!
I’d love for Lance to have a great year, I have high hopes for Wilson, and Matz… well… he’s got good stuff when he’s healthy. Like Matt Morris and Donovan Osbourne did. Problem is, he ends up spending too much time playing ping-pong in the clubhouse.
4 years – $100 million should get him signed. Especially if there’s a 5th or 6th yr option.
Monty is NOT getting $25 million avv period otherwise he already been signed. I can see him at 5/90-110 range and even thats a big IF. Yankees will easily go 5/100 if Monty learns to ignore his agent
People laughed at me when I said he would not get 200 million. The 90-110 range is exactly where he should be and exactly what his target should have been all along. Trying to surpass Nola was a terrible idea.
I love how the Red Sox aren’t under the “Big Markets “ in this article. As a life long diehard fan I’m just in awe of this offseason. I won’t spend my hard earned money to watch a game this year. It’s sad to me that FSG will spend 3 billion on the PGA and less than 40 million on the Sox this offseason. REMEMBER Henry this is where it all started for you. Your company’s name is FENWAY sports group. Spend some money you cheap ignorant a$$!!!! I’ll spend my money there when you open up your wallet and spend on this team again like this loyal fan base deserves and not a minute before.
It is sad to see what the Red Sox have become due to horrible ownership. I’m not a Sox fan, but baseball is better when they’re competitive. The fanbase deserves better.
If Henry wanted to run a AAA payroll, he should have bought a AAA team.
The Red Sox have been spending around $200M per year and will again this year. That is not a AAA payroll. It looks like they need to spend better. When they are better able to contend, I think they will spend more.
suit – Actually right now Spotrac has the Red Sox at $186M CBT payroll for 2024 and Cot’s has $190M, which is their lowest since 2014 (even MLBTR confirmed lowest payroll in a decade).
You wrote “spending” which means money actually spent, not old contracts signed long ago such as Sale’s. Guess how much the Sox have ACTUALLY SPENT this offseason. It’s a fraction of other teams, in fact even the Royals have spent significantly more this offseason than the Red Sox.
The Red Sox right now are among the biggest cheapskates in MLB despite having the 3rd-highest revenue in MLB.
Guess where the money is going.
Hint: It’s not going into improving the team enough to get out of last place.
Are you a Red Sox fan? If you are, why doesn’t that bother you? Why are you okay with probably another last place non-competitive season?
Fever: How do you know the Red Sox are done spending? You don’t! How do you know the Red Sox will finish in last place this year? You don’t! How do you know what John Henry does with his money? You don’t!
I am a Red Sox fan who is optimistic about this year and the future. You apparently don’t know what a fan is either.
Fan: a person who likes and admires someone (such as a famous person) or something (such as a sport or a sports team) in a very enthusiastic way.
You are clearly not a fan of the Red Sox. It looks like you are not a fan of human beings either.
suit – No need to get personal and nasty while you’re on the job.
I specifically began my last post with “Actually right now”, which implies yes the 2024 payroll could go up. Of course it could also go down too, considering the Sox are openly fielding offers for Jansen and Martin.
I’ve said only about a hundred times that I will be in “wait and see” mode until the end of March and unlike you I actually WANT John Henry to spend a little bit of his profits on improving this year’s team. I am one of the few Red Sox fans here who has NOT said to get rid of all the veterans and play all the kids to forfeit the season.
Everything I said has been supported by FACTS. You are the one denying everything and ignoring everyone around you
I very nicely extended the olive branch in the other thread by asking you to stop spreading the false “Red Sox are spending a lot as always” crap as I want to move on to the players themselves.
But yet here you are, still spreading your false pro-cheapskate FSG propaganda. Sorry but I’m not gonna read false comments about a team that I care about a whole lot more than you.
And I know you read my long comment I posted recently about a path to postseason contention this season. Funny how you always ignore everything that goes against your agenda.
Yeah I think it’s time for me to take the kid gloves off, you’ve earned it.
Fever: I am trying to make my point. Nothing nasty about it. I am actually stating my opinion on here and will continue to do that. If I see something that I disagree with (in my opinion), I will say so. I tend to disagree with all the negativity here lately.
I disagree that FSG are cheapskates. They have spent on player payroll per Spotrac:
2021: $207.6M
2022: $236.1M
2023: $225.7M
2024: $185.6M so far
I don’t think this is cheap. I think they need to spend it better. That is my opinion. No agenda. Just my opinion. We are not going to agree much. I am optimistic about the Red Sox and you are very upset with them.
I am upset n d we pressed over our team. I wanted Monty at last yrs trade deadline, but we all know Bloom wasn’t doing anything. So n oh e all I would like us for RS to spend on him, not too much to ask is it?
Sorry typos my phone has its own language.
That’s because the Sox are listed in the first category, teams with known interest, not a lesser category than the “large market” ones. But some fans will see what they want to at times.
Boras not getting his guys those massive deals….
Bellinger, Snell, and Montgomery all have a variety of question marks around them, but Boras is trying to get them contracts like they are elite superstars. They are all good players, but the reported demands they have are outrageous.
I fear that a least 2 of the deals for Chapman, Snell, Monte, and Bellinger turn out like Rondon and Bryant!
And he misread the market. The Diamond Sports Group affected a lot of teams, which limited spending.
I wish they would fire him
Surprised that the Cards didn’t get at least a mention in the dark horse category. They always play their cards close to the vest and then do whatever they do.
Still hoping things break their way so they can strike a deal for him. If he has no market, he’ll have to come down off his demands. Some scenario where one of Matz/Mikolas/Lynn/Gibson gets hurt, or Matz gets moved to the bullpen, and then the team tables a 4/80-90 deal with an opt out somewhere is not inconceivable. Gray-Monty as the 1-2 punch wins them the division easily and makes them a threat in the playoffs.
There would have to be massive deferrals to where Monty’s 2024 salary is only around $5M for the Cardinals to conceivably be able to make even that big of an offer.
Lanidrac, I just now realized your callsign is Cardinal backward. LOVE IT!!
That’s because they’ve already maxed out their payroll.
Cant help his case that his biggest competition is repped by his same agent.
You have to figure he’s been presented offers and perhaps is even sitting on one. He knows where he’s going. We don’t.
I heard that too.
Red Sox should get him, but have to wait out the Boras games.
Redsox. 4/88
That’s what I’m thinking too. Maybe an option and a couple opt outs. He’s not an ace, but could be a solid 2 or 3. Hopefully the Angels are still interested.
Rockies, Nationals, Athletics & White Sox all have the lowest SP combined WAR for their team heading into 2024, so I’d think that Montgomery’s projected 3.2 WAR would help one of them.
The A’s would love to have him for minimum wage, I’m sure.
Honestly, I’m a little surprised the Nationals aren’t at least exploring Snell and/or Montgomery. Obviously, it doesn’t move the needle much for them. Pitching is a valuable commodity though. I’d see if I could get one of them to take a 1yr deal for 40m, with the idea I could trade them at the deadline. Another way to possibly buy some prospects.
True.
– Rockies: No starter with aspirations of excellence should ever sign here.
– Nationals: Probably scarred long term after the Corbin deal.
– Athletics: Not interested in competing at this level.
– White Sox: This makes the most sense. They need another arm to pair with Cease and they still have the intention to compete. The division is wide open.
With Morton off the books next year, and Braves unlikely to extend Fried, let’s get him in ATL to slot nicely as a number 3 this year, provided the price is right. He can slot in behind Strider next year as a 2.
Braves aren’t biting for anyone repped by Boras.
These free agents are going to take 1 year, plus player option contracts so it’s probably more of a free for all who has room this year type of thing. The offseason is over. Markets have already tanked.
In regard to the Twins TV deal, they know what they’ll have this year. It was reported all the deals were 85%+ from what the teams made last year. So for the Twins, that’s a ceiling of like $145MM. They’re projected at $117MM at the moment.
It wouldn’t surprise me terribly if the Twins went to $25MM for 1 year and a player option for Snell or less likely, Montgomery. I don’t think $25MM will get it done on a 1 year deal, though.
Interesting idea, but Twins find a way to trade Kepler and Farmer, sign Bellinger and Snell to 1 year deals. That’d blow people’s heads up, and it’d sure be fun (and unbelievable) to see.
Not realistic and hard to fathom
Boston to Dallas isn’t exactly a quick commute and sounds like he was willing to sign there.
Sox or Orioles most likely.
Maybe after the sale of the O’s is approved they will jump in.
suit – It takes months for a MLB team sale to be finalized, the Orioles sale will not happen before the regular season.
At least THEY will have an owner who actually likes the team and wants the team to win, instead of someone like John Henry viewing the Red Sox and their park as an ATM to fund a bunch of other acquisitions and projects.
Newsflash Scott. It’s the middle of February and most teams are done with their offseason shopping. This strategy for waiting is stupid your market is what it is you dont get more money the longer you wait in fact you are likely to get less. Out of the big 4 free agents that are left many if not all of them are going to be unhappy with their contracts.
Trying to top Nola’s deal was crazy. Nola has pitched like a legit 1 at multiple times in his career.
If Mongomery slips to say 4yr/$120 MM plus a $5MM buyout of a 5th year at say $40MM, Im’ not so sure that the Red’s shouldn’t kick the tires on him. Montgomery, Greene. Montas, Abbott,& Martinez is not a bad rotation- even for a playoff team. Payroll would still be about $130MM and the Reds would have a Lodolo, Williamson, Ashcraft to trade.
At this point I’d be shocked if he gets 30mil per year from anyone
I have a feeling that Cardinals executive John Mozeliak is on the hottest seat in the league, and I don’t understand why they wouldn’t push the budget further to sign Jordan Montgomery and have a better chance at both keeping his job and keeping the Cardinals in the playoffs.
The budget and the status of John Mozeliak’s job security are both things decided by someone other than John Mozeliak.
I’m sure he would love to have another 25 million to work with.
Angels 2 years $50 Mil!
4 – 90mil with opt out after years 2n3 and a 25mil option for year 5
Full Throttle it will be Boston baby. lol yeh right
I wish the Tigers weren’t so tight.
ZERO PROACTION.
There is something going on in Detroit. The obvious is being ignored.
Why are thier brains not seeing it?
They don’t need starters.
If I had to predict, I’d guess he signs with the Yanks
Is Young comments really about Montgomery as it could be defined as a resign rather than an Acquisition.
Boras is his agent
He will figure out how to get some insane contract
And I can assure you Boras does not care what deal the fans recommend
He’s an Astro. Book it.
Here’s a crazy idea. Just get rid of Scott… find yourself a new Rep. Montgomery, Bellinger, Snell would all be signed by tomorrow. Scott is his crooked as a broken arrow.
Giants and Red Sox have the biggest need, but Baltimore just lost Bradish indefinitely. They could slot Wells back in, since he was #5 before the Burnes acquisition, but even though I’m a Tigers fan, the Orioles need to go for it. They look so close on paper and their players will still be in their prime for his (Montgomery’s) entire contract. Assuming he doesn’t get more than 5-6 years. Which I don’t think he will with the TV contract excuse. As if some other entity isn’t gunna jump, lol. TV isn’t going anywhere.
With the Brandish news the O’s should consider Montgomery.
the Orioles absolutely should. dance out a $125M/4 and make him turn you down on the 4 yrs. They could sign him, and still make a solid offer to Burnes as well as the kids without “massively raising” ticket prices as the club’s future commitments are so incredibly low and they could double their current 2024 Opening Day payroll and still not hit CBA spending penalties as they’re about $125M from the tax. If Bradish doesn’t need season ending surgery, can you imagine a rotation of Burnes, Bradish, Rodriguez and Monty? If Bradish comes back effective, they could also trade off Monty for some bullpen pieces and even get out from the 4 year commitment. But Bradish wouldn’t need to rush back and have a possible set back from the UCL. We need this sale to finalize.
Have to think it won’t take that high a number to get Montgomery.
Why waste 22 per year on Mahle and Robertson for a team that needs first half starters ♂️
Go Cubs Go!
Gotta throw in the Dodgers, they haven’t signed anyone this week and could always use a 7th starting pitcher.
17 starting pitchers, FIFY
Correct, as it stands, who are they throwing out there every 7th day?
half are on the shelf until mid-season or later, so they only have 8 or 9 ready right now.
Dodgers aren’t biting for anyone repped by Boras.
I might be in the minority, but I can see BAL as ripe for a regression with all their youth. The AL East is tough and I honestly don’t see an odds-on favorite as things stand today. If the new/future ownership group wants to make a statement, they should swoop in and grab one of these last two would-be aces to slot in behind Burnes.
…as several have mentioned above.
(I post before reading)
jeez I just can’t help but feel Boston is really missing out on something here ( no..really)…..maybe they aren’t ready to compete with the A.L. east this year, OK…. BUT sign Monty up and he’ll be there for the next few when they WILL be, when Mayer, Teel & Anthony will hopefully be there. It just seems like he is sitting on the step waiting for them to open the door a little. JMO
The problem with your thinking is that it’s logical – Red Sox ownership abandoned logic several years ago 🙁
I refuse to rule out the Mets even at this late date.
Fangraphs has them at 83 wins, currently. It’s nonsense, of course (they won 75, have all of 5 players returning who scored 2+ WAR in 2023, and added only pitchers and hitters who project to below league average ERA+s and OPS+s), but all it takes is for Mr. Magoo to go lurching after another expensive FA late in the offseason, as has been his wont, and they’re off and taking dead aim at .500.
The Orioles are the only team with zero excuses to not sign Jordan Montgomery. His playoff pedigree, their lack of rotation experience and the promise of new ownership make it a no-brainer decision. As a bonus to the already farm rich Orioles, he has no QO attached to him.
I’d rather have Lorenzen on the cheap than Montgomery on a big dollar deal. He’ll be an Angel because Moreno is about as dumb as they come.
So, just to make sure, have there been any indications that BoSox ownership has any awareness whatsoever regarding just how irate the fanbase is at the moment? Or do they simply not care?
I still think he ends up back with the cardinals on a 1 year with an option contract.
Snell to the Orioles.
Montgomery to either the Phils or Yanks.
Bellinger back with the Cubs.
Chapman to the Giants.
The Angels could really use Bellinger and Montgomery, and even both of them don’t fill what they lost with Ohtani leaving.
Red Sox are signing a Montgomery. Bob Montgomery- he was back up to Fisk in the 70’s. He fits the budget or lack there of.
The cardinals will sign him to a 5 year 150 million dollar contract with an option year the contract will be deferred where the cardinals can afford to do this go cards!!!!
Where Does the Market Stand For Jordan Montgomery?
Is that that old black and white movie with Bette Davis and Joan Crawford that Robert Aldrich directed, the guy that made The Dirty Dozen?
He’ll have to settle for a short term deal because Boras is trying to get him paid like an ace and no team is biting.
Montgomery is a nice player but not a great player or game changer. Boras is asking for the moon and for way to long.
4th tier of the luxury tax is something you should never see unless you’ve been on a multi year playoff run or at the very least spend like you’re committed to winning.
Failing to win and manage your money at the same time means you’re in the wrong “business”
Baltimore makes a ton of sense at this point.
To me, the team that should sign Montgomery, or Snell, is the Diamondbacks. Adding either would give the Snakes arguably the best rotation in baseball.
He is a one year wonder. St. Louis had money, they passed. Texas has money, they passed. Yankees have money and traded him for a released player. These scouts know something and aren’t willing to give this guy anything close to elite status.
He is too much a contact pitcher.
Trevor Bauer unfortunately will not be given a second chance until a team decides they don’t care about what’s printed. The guy was found not guilty and now the alleged victim who appears to have lied about everything other than the consensual rough sex part is now likely to be sued for defamation. Not saying it’s right just saying she fabricated the story to get paid and has been outed for it.
Saying that I think the Yankees should offer Bauer a minor league prove it deal but they don’t have the courage to go against the storm that will follow so they will have to continue to add too a bloated payroll and should try to obtain one of the two stud free agents remaining at the top of any rotation in Monty or Snell by offering a contract of 3 years at 80-90 million with a player option for a 4th at 20 million and player opt outs after each year. Whichever pitcher takes it first is signed. Ryu is another lefty who I’m sure would be a worthwhile addition with one year deal.
With all the players going down the first day of spring training it looks like all the top free agents will be getting their deals soon. Short term deals seem to be the way to go now!
Creative contract for Monty some enterprising team should offer: 20 years, 500Million, 800K for each of the first 5 years, then 33.1Million per year for 15 consecutive years, the beginning of which can be mutually determined by player and team, but can begin no later than 2040.
Teams are finally getting wise to Boras’ shenanigans. They are basically calling his bluff and saying it’s time to take our deal or leave it. Same with Snell and Belli. This is good for baseball. Boras leaving his clients until spring training is bad for the game and I hope he eventually stops this practice. Negotiate salaries up with several teams but this game of chicken is ridiculous
I’d love to see Monty back in Texas, but business is business.
Would love the Rays to offer a 2 year $25mil per deal with a 100 innings opt out on the 2nd year. Include a $5mil signing bonus with $5mil in incentives for 2024.
Theres so much collusion happening. Between that and the new jerseys…its really sad how its being ran into the ground. The fact that guys like JD Martinez doesn’t have a team yet because a model says so is crazy to me. He put up .900 OPS last yr and the yr before and the yr before but since he’s 36 he’s not good enough all of a sudden. He’s one of many players right now. Its embarrassing for the game honestly.