Updating Texas Rangers Jordan Montgomery Pursuit, TV Deal Clouds Picture
It’s possible that uncertainty around the Texas Rangers’ local television deal could prevent them from re-signing free agent pitcher Jordan Montgomery.
The Athletic cited league sources that had been briefed on the Rangers’ plans in free agency.
Earlier this offseason, Montgomery was believed to be leaning toward signing with a team he previously played for — Rangers, St. Louis Cardinals or New York Yankees. That may still be the case.
The uncertainty of the Rangers' broadcast situation for 2024 could impact the ability to sign free-agent playoff standout Jordan Montgomery.
But the Rangers are still unclear about their regional television deal for 2024.
Diamond Sports Group, which owns the Bally networks, including Bally Sports Southwest, reached an agreement earlier this year to pay all of its rights fees for 2024, with the condition that all of its deals with MLB teams would end after that season. That deal would provide the Rangers with the $111 million they are expecting in 2024.
But, in recent weeks, DSG and Bally Sports are believed to be trying to walk away from some of the pricier deals, which would include the Rangers. A bankruptcy judge still has to approve DSG’s original plan and any contingencies that come from it. The judge should rule sometime in December.
If DSG drops the Rangers, it’s not clear if the Rangers will lose all or some of the money they are owed in 2024, though they would get their local TV rights back immediately.
Before the Winter Meetings, Rangers general manager Chris Young acknowledged the uncertainty, but said that he believed that if there was a player the Rangers needed in free agency, he could make the case to team owner Ray Davis.
Montgomery is coming off a 2023 in which he had his best overall season, as he went 10-11 with a 3.20 ERA with a 166 strikeouts and 48 walks. With the Rangers he went 4-2 with a 2.79 ERA.
He shined in the postseason, as he went 3-1 with a 2.90 ERA. He won two of his five starts in the postseason and claimed the win in relief in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series.
The Rangers have more than $100 million committed to starting pitching in 2024. Jacob deGrom, who won’t be ready for the start of the season, has $40 million of that commitment. Max Scherzer accounts for $22.5 million. Nathan Eovaldi will make $17 million. Andrew Heaney exercised a $13 million player option. Jon Gray is set to make $13 million.
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