In exactly one week from today, all 30 MLB teams' pitchers and catchers will have reported to Spring Training. Yet, some of the MLB's biggest free agents pitchers — including 2023 World Series champion, Jordan Montgomery — still remain unsigned.
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While it's clear that former Texas Ranger Montgomery is willing to delay his signing in order to find the right team (at the right price), MLB.com Jon Morosi noted in a Thursday column that he believes Montgomery will have signed by this time next week — and mentioned two unexpected teams that could secure his services.
Although both Morosi and Mark Feinsand noted that the Rangers remain the frontrunner to sign Montgomery, Morosi also said that, "I wonder if the Red Sox could make a late push by clearing salary with a Kenley Jansen trade."
Current Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen hasn't been traded yet, but it was reported just a few days ago that several teams are interested in trading for the four-time All-Star and two-time NL Reliever of the Year.
If Boston does trade Jansen, that would open an avenue for them to address their pressing need for starting pitching — perhaps prompting them to go all-in on Montgomery.
The Red Sox aren't the only team who might be an unexpected contender to sign Montgomery. In the same column, both Feinsand and Morosi noted that the Philadelphia Phillies could be major players in the Montgomery market.
There has been some buzz about the Phillies jumping in for either Snell or Montgomery," Feinsand wrote, "and while Dave Dombrowski has said that he doesn't expect any major moves from this point forward, he did leave the door open during a recent radio interview on 94 WIP-FM, saying, "I can't tell you that somebody doesn't fall into your lap at some point where you say, 'Gee, that's an opportunity we can't turn down.'"
"I agree with Mark that the Phillies are a prime candidate." Morosi added.
So while the Rangers will surely want to resign one of their best starting pitchers, there are still other teams who could snatch Montgomery up before Texas makes their move.
Given that these MLB insiders expect Montgomery to sign within the next week, it appears that we'll have a resolution to his free agency sweepstakes in the near future.
