Jordan Montgomery’s re-signing by the Rangers makes far too much sense.
The longer Jordan Montgomery remains unsigned, the less likely it becomes that he will return to Arlington. The Texas Rangers bolstered their pitching staff in the previous two offseasons, and keeping the lefty seemed to be a top priority for general manager Chris Young. After all, telling the Rangers’ 2023 tale without the trade deadline afterthought who became an October ace is impossible.
Perhaps Young still sees Montgomery as a valuable acquisition heading into the new year. Money may not grow on trees, but championship teams frequently treat it as such. Hello there, Dodgers! Texas has previously demonstrated a willingness to spend. What about Corey Seager? What about Marcus Semien? DeGrom, Jacob? Do any of those contracts sound familiar?
Montgomery, who helped Texas win its first World Series, is likely to be the second-most sought-after remaining free agent, trailing NL Cy Young winner Blake Snell. His five-pitch arsenal was quite effective, particularly in the postseason. He had an extraordinary capacity to get out of binds.
When he’s in charge, his sinker-curveball combination is lethal. It’s a weapon that’s probably worth a few more zeros on his next deal.
Montgomery’s stock continues to rise as more free agents arrive at their next locations. So does Snell’s, a two-time Cy Young champion whose potential price tag may deter some clubs. Teams that were interested in Yoshinobu Yamamoto could shift their focus to Montgomery or Snell now that the Japanese star has signed with the Dodgers. Boston, San Francisco, and both New York clubs are all looking to spend big, but Yamamoto was passed up. The bidding war might become heated. Is Texas willing to fight in this war?
The Rangers just signed former Minnesota Twins right-hander Tyler Mahle to a two-year, $22 million contract, supporting Young’s statement about focusing on the rotation. Mahle, who had a career-best 3.20 ERA in five starts with the Twins, won’t be ready to pitch until mid-season due to Tommy John surgery. He isn’t alone. After undergoing back surgery, Max Scherzer will not be able to return to the mound until at least June. Last season’s major splash, deGrom, is also rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and might return soon after Mahle.
Is the trio of Nathan Eovaldi, Dane Dunning, and Jon Gray strong enough to hold the rotation together in the meantime? What if Schezer’s finest days are behind him? What about deGrom’s prospects?
According to USA Today, with the inflow of TV rights deals, Montgomery’s asking price could reach heights Young is unwilling to pay. Boston, on the other hand, may be. The same may be said about Steve Cohen and the Mets. And Brian Cashman is well aware that the Yankees have more than enough money to acquire Mongomery’s services.
According to sources, Montgomery’s asking price is comparable to Washington Nationals left-hander Patrick Corbin’s six-year, $140 million contract.
