Jordan Montgomery is a dependable and productive starting pitcher. He's coming off a 2023 campaign that's among his best so far as a big leaguer, and it ended with him winning a World Series with the Texas Rangers.
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However, he's still an unsigned free agent as the calendar creeps toward March. When could he sign, and which teams are his most likely landing spots?
The timing of Montgomery finally signing a contract for 2024 and beyond is unknown. That's what happens when agent Scott Boras is trying to maximize his client's earning power. For the majority of this winter, the industry expectation was that the Rangers would re-sign Montgomery, which was also his preferred destination.
But since the Rangers are having issues with their TV deal, they're no longer viewed as a likely landing spot. Which clubs are still connected to the southpaw? During a live stream for Bleacher Report, the New York Post's Jon Heyman noted four teams as Monty's most likely landing spots: the Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Angels, and Boston Red Sox.
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The New York Yankees were also connected to Montgomery earlier in the offseason, and they're still interested in potentially upgrading their pitching staff. However, rumors regarding the Bombers are focused on fellow free-agent pitcher (and another Boras client) Blake Snell. The Philadelphia Phillies have also been floated as a potential landing spot if the left-hander is open to a short-term deal.
At the start of free agency, MLB Trade Rumors predicted a six-year, $150 million payday for Montgomery. Boras has reportedly been using the seven-year, $172 million deal hurler Aaron Nola signed with Philadelphia as a benchmark in any contract talks with interested clubs, though.
It's undetermined how close Montgomery will get to those numbers. But with spring training underway across baseball, one would have to imagine he's getting a little antsy to sign a deal as he prepares for 2024.
Whichever team lands the southpaw will be getting someone coming off his most productive big-league season. Across a career-high 188.2 innings, Montgomery posted a 10-11 record with a career-best 3.20 ERA and 4.1 bWAR to go along with a 1.19 WHIP and 166 strikeouts.
