The Boston Red Sox may finally be ready to spend.
Peter Gammons of the Boston Globe reported that an NL executive said: “We hear the Red Sox and Scott Boras had a good meeting recently and may get some deal eventually done on Jordan Montgomery.”
ESPN’s Buster Olney added that the Sox had a Zoom meeting with the former Yankee.
Adding Montgomery would be welcomed by Red Sox fans as their team has spent barely any money this offseason and made few moves, highlighted by signing starter Lucas Giolito.
Even star third baseman Rafael Devers has ripped the team for not doing enough this offseason, indirectly calling out how the team has not done enough to upgrade a faulty rotation.
Montgomery would be a massive addition to the Red Sox rotation, the weak point of their team.
The Red Sox have spent a few years without a reliable ace and Montgomery could fill that hole.
A long-term deal that keeps him in Boston could be enticing for the Red Sox, who seem better positioned to compete in the future than 2024.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said the team is “working hard” toward upgrading its rotation, according to the Boston Globe.
It’s also possible the Red Sox may be able to get a discount.
MLB Trade Rumors estimated in November that Montgomery would sign for six years and $150 million.
But it’s now late February, and with spring training having already started and Montgomery yet to be signed to a team, he may have to drop his initial asking price.
Montgomery, despite being known for his time in pinstripes, has Boston connections.
He spent the winter there while his wife, McKenzie, began her dermatology residency at a hospital in the area, and threw at Boston College while there, according to MassLive.com.
Montgomery played for the Cardinals in 2023 before being traded at the deadline to the Texas Rangers. He played an integral role in helping the Rangers win their first World Series.
The lefty posted a 3.20 ERA in 32 starts between St. Louis and Texas. In the postseason, Montgomery had a 2.63 ERA in 37 2/3 innings. The Rangers went 4-2 in his starts.
Montgomery has experience pitching in the AL East, having spent the first five-plus seasons of his career with the Yankees from 2017-22.
In a competitive division, the Red Sox will need all the help they can get against their division rivals, who have only gotten better this offseason.