Red Sox in Desperate Need of Ace Pitcher
The Red Sox are in dire need of a top-notch starting pitcher, and one player stands out as the perfect fit – Jordan Montgomery. Despite the 2024 Spring Training being underway, Boston has yet to make a move for the 31-year-old lefty. Montgomery had a decent 10-11 season, but truly shined with a 3-1 record and a remarkable 2.90 ERA in six games for the Rangers during their successful World Series championship run last fall.
According to Red Sox insider Jon Tomase, this move seems like an “obvious lifeline” to salvage what has been a disastrous offseason for the team. Fans and analysts alike are calling on the Red Sox to make a move for Montgomery. Steve Perrault, host of the “Inside the Monster” podcast and a longtime Red Sox analyst, took to Twitter to express his disbelief, stating, “It’s wild because it would be fully legal for the Red Sox to just sign Jordan Montgomery. No jail time or anything. They can legally sign the exact guy they need right now.”
If the Red Sox had intended to wait until the market for Montgomery dried up before swooping in with a low-cost offer, their strategy seems to be working. The Rangers seem uninterested in bringing Montgomery back, giving Boston an opportunity to strike a deal. However, things took an unexpected turn when MLB.com reported that the Phillies have also shown interest in acquiring Montgomery, albeit on a short-term contract.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on Jordan Montgomery’s future in the MLB.
Red Sox in Trouble: Can They Land Montgomery?
The Red Sox are facing a major problem as they head into the upcoming season. Once again, they are projected to be the worst team in the A.L. East, and their chances of turning things around are not looking good. The biggest issue they face is the lack of an ace pitcher. This is where Jordan Montgomery comes into play. However, the Red Sox’s uncertain position in the standings makes it less likely for him to consider joining the team.
Montgomery has been seeking a contract that surpasses the seven-year, $172 million deal received by Aaron Nola from the Phillies. Unfortunately for Montgomery, it seems that ship has sailed. According to Spotrac, his value is estimated at $18.4 million per year, making a six-year deal worth $110.4 million a reasonable offer. If the Red Sox were to present a contract in that range, they could maintain their salary level from last year and potentially secure a much-needed ace.
However, it appears that the Red Sox are not willing to offer a six-year deal to Montgomery. In fact, it seems unlikely that any team will meet his demands. If Montgomery is forced to accept a two-year deal, he would prefer to go to a team with better chances of winning, like the Phillies. As it stands, the Red Sox would have to overpay him, potentially with a four-year deal, to have a shot at luring him to Boston. But given the current state of ownership, even that might be too much to ask.
From the Red Sox’s perspective, it’s understandable why they would hesitate to commit to a six-year deal. Montgomery has shown promise with solid analytics, but he has yet to establish himself as a reliable workhorse and consistent winner. With a record of 38-34 and 140 starts under his belt, there is still uncertainty about his long-term performance. Paying Montgomery means taking a gamble that his late-season success can be sustained over the next six years.
Without adding another starter to their rotation, the Red Sox are effectively tanking their season. Their current “ace,” Lucas Giolito, led the league in home runs allowed last season and had a subpar ERA. The team will be relying on untested young starters like Nick Pivetta, Kutter Crawford, and Bryan Bello to fill the gaps. It’s clear that the Red Sox cannot compete in the highly competitive A.L. East without a true number one pitcher.
Could Montgomery be the answer to their problems? Time is running out for both Montgomery and the Red Sox. The team’s future hangs in the balance, and it remains to be seen if they can make a convincing offer to secure the much-needed ace pitcher.
According to the Source heavy.com