The Boston Red Sox seem unprepared to offer extended contracts to top free agents this winter, including starting pitchers Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery.
According to Alex Speier of The Boston Globe, there are clear indications that the Red Sox have no plans to pursue long-term deals for either potential ace. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic further emphasized the unlikelihood of Boston spending on Montgomery, especially given the financial constraints of the Texas Rangers, who may struggle to re-sign him after their World Series run last fall.
Rosenthal finds it perplexing that the Red Sox are not actively exploring the opportunity to acquire Montgomery, who recently moved to Boston due to his wife’s dermatology residency in the area.
During the “Winter Weekend” celebration, Red Sox team president Sam Kennedy hinted that the team’s payroll in 2024 would be lower than in 2023, suggesting reluctance to commit to substantial contracts for Montgomery or Snell, possibly around $25 million per year over the next few seasons.
In the current offseason, the largest contract the Red Sox have awarded is to starting pitcher Lucas Giolito, with a two-year, $38.5 million deal that includes an opt-out after this season. This move effectively replaced Chris Sale, traded to the Atlanta Braves in December.
Currently, the Red Sox have six starting pitcher options, but most have excelled more as long relievers than starters. Despite having $61 million in projected space below the competitive balance tax, as per Spotrac, the team seems focused on keeping payroll costs low in 2024.
Montgomery, with sub-4.00 ERAs in the last three seasons, has started 94 games for the Yankees, Cardinals, and Rangers. Snell, a former All-Star and Cy Young winner, spent the past three seasons in San Diego. Both free agents are 31 years old.
