Boston Red Sox Pursuing Texas Rangers Free Agent Jordan Montgomery?
The Texas Rangers have been linked to several prominent free agents – Shohei Ohtani, Josh Hader and Aaron Nola, for starters – since winning the World Series.
Being crowned champion gives the Rangers a certain street cred when it comes to big names considering relocating to Arlington.
That interest works the other way, too. The pursuit is on for Jordan Montgomery, likely the most-coveted of Texas’ free agents.
The Boston Red Sox are just one of the clubs rumored to be interested in Rangers free agent Jordan Montgomery.
Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
The Boston Red Sox have spoken to Montgomery’s agent at the General Managers Meetings in Scottsdale, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network. Montgomery is represented by Scott Boras.
Teams such as the New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals – both former clubs of Montgomery – were previously reported to be interested in potential reunions with the left-handed starter.
Montgomery, 30, became a stabilizing force in Texas rotation after arriving in trade-deadline deal with St. Louis. He made 11 starts for the Rangers in the regular season, going 4-2 with a 2.79 ERA. In the postseason, Montgomery went 3-1 in six appearances (five starts) with a 2.90 ERA, winning games in each of the first three rounds.
His durability – at least 30 starts in each of the last three seasons – plus postseason success has put Montgomery in the top tier of free-agent starters. A report in The Athletic suggested Montgomery could fetch as much as $127 million over five years.
A team signing Montgomery will not be on the hook for any draft compensation, since the 6-foot-6 lefty was traded during the season and was not eligible for a qualifying offer.
The Rangers have nearly $120 million committed to starting pitching for 2024. Max Scherzer, Nathan Eovaldi and Andrew Heaney are under contract, as well as rehabbing Jacob deGrom. Dane Dunning, who moved into a relief role during the playoffs, also spent much of 2023 in the rotation.
Texas certainly wants Montgomery back, but the Red Sox will hardly be the only suitors.
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