Might the Red Sox end up signing free agent starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery after all?
Cody Bellinger Agrees 3-Year, $80M Deal With The Cubs
Peter Gammons tweeted Monday morning, “One NL executive yesterday said ‘we hear the Red Sox and (agent) Scott Boras had a good meeting recently and may get some deal eventually done on Jordan Montgomery.’”
ESPN’s Buster Olney also tweeted Monday that the Red Sox had a recent zoom meeting with Montgomery.
In November, MLB Trade Rumors estimated Montgomery signing for six years, $150 million. But with March nearing and spring training games already underway, his price tag could drop.
The 31-year-old lefty is not tied to a qualifying offer. The Red Sox, therefore, would give up no draft pick compensation to sign him. He posted a 3.20 ERA in 32 starts between the Cardinals and Rangers in 2023. He helped lead Texas to a World Series championshi[p.
He has AL East experience. He was drafted by the Yankees and pitched for them from 2017-22.
Montgomery spent the winter in Boston while his wife, McKenzie, began her dermatology residency at an area hospital. He threw at Boston College.
It’s unclear how much the Red Sox are willing to pay to sign Montgomery. Team president Sam Kennedy recently said ownership set budget parameters for chief baseball officer Craig Breslow.
Boston’s payroll right now is at approximately $206 million, far below the $237 million competitive balance tax base threshold. But Kennedy also has said the Red Sox likely will have a lower payroll than last year when it finished at $225 million.