A slow-moving MLB free-agent market has left many top players unsigned as spring training gets underway. One of those unsigned players is starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery. It's been assumed the Texas Rangers would land him, but that doesn't seem to be the case anymore. Could the Philadelphia Phillies come in and make a last-second big splash?
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According to FanGraphs' Roster Resource, the Phillies' Opening Day starting rotation is projected to consist of Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suarez, Taijuan Walker and Cristopher Sanchez. Philly did join the pursuit of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, but that seemed like a special case. Outside of re-signing Nola to a seven-year, $172 million contract, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski hasn't made any major moves this winter.
Altering the club's current course for Montgomery would certainly change that. However, the Scott Boras client has been looking for a long-term deal. MLB Trade Rumors predicted a six-year, $150 million deal at the start of the offseason. It's also been reported that Montgomery's camp is using Nola's $172 million payday as a benchmark in negotiations.
Committing to this level doesn't appear to interest the Phillies right now. MLB.com's Todd Zolecki reported on February 14 that Philly would like to sign Montgomery if he was willing to take a one- or two-year deal. Zolecki went on to add that the southpaw "isn't ready to sign for that" yet.
Montgomery has been a dependable and productive hurler since the start of 2021, and he added to his resume this past October by helping the Rangers win a World Series. He's started at least 30 games in each of the past three years and has seen his ERA consistently drop. The 3.20 mark in 188.2 innings between the Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals in 2023 were both career-best marks.
The 31-year-old added to that production by twirling a 2.90 ERA in 31 postseason innings during Texas' title run.
