Four more teams reportedly interested in Jordan Montgomery amidst ‘pitching panic’
Following reports that connected Montgomery to the Red Sox, agent Scott Boras says more teams are interested in the free agent pitcher.
With opening day just around the corner, the Red Sox are on the hunt for pitching talent. And they’re not the only ones.
Conflicting reports about free agent Jordan Montgomery offered little reassurance that Boston’s pitching problem would be solved swiftly (or without a large price tag).
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported Sunday that MLB executives project Boston as a well positioned team to sign free agent pitcher Montgomery. The left-hander helped the Rangers win their first World Series title last season after a deadline trade from the Cardinals.
“MLB team executives widely believe that two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell will ultimately sign with the Los Angeles Angels or possibly the San Francisco Giants, while Texas Rangers’ postseason hero Jordan Montgomery will wind up with the Boston Red Sox,” Nightengale wrote. “The Red Sox have kept in constant contact with Montgomery while the Rangers are keeping tabs if owner Ray Davis suddenly changes his mind.”
However, agent Scott Boras revealed Monday afternoon that four other undisclosed teams have expressed interest in the 31-year-old pitcher, per ESPN’s Jesse Rogers.
“There is a pitching panic going on in baseball,” Boras said. “We’ve got so many starting pitchers that are now compromised. Maybe short term. Some long-term. And the calls for elite starters are starting to increase. With many clubs right now, because of the pitching issue, the competitiveness of their seasons is at risk.”
With Tuesday’s announcement that Red Sox starter Lucas Giolito will likely miss the start of the 2024 season due to a partially torn UCL and flexor strain, the club’s need for pitching talent becomes more imminent.
Montgomery could shape up to be a reliable starter for the Red Sox, should they choose to pursue him against other interested teams. He went 10-11 last season split between the Cardinals and Rangers, posting a 3.20 ERA and logging 188.2 innings.
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