1 Related
There’s a strong chance that Montgomery will hit the market again next winter. His expected contract was in the low nine figures last winter because of a career year: 10-11 with a 3.20 ERA over 188 2/3 innings with the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers. In addition, he had a sterling postseason (31 innings, 2.90 ERA, 3-1 record) that ended in a World Series championship with the Rangers.
Boras had attributed the slow pace of free agency to a few factors, including normal market fluctuation and the uncertainty of team revenue from regional sports networks.
“We’ve had a dramatic difference in the competitiveness and aggressiveness of owners to win,” Boras said after Montgomery had signed with Arizona.
Bellinger re-signed with the Chicago Cubs on an $80 million, three-year deal in late February. Chapman, a four-time Gold Glove third baseman, signed a $54 million, three-year deal with the San Francisco Giants on March 3. Snell, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, inked a $62 million, two-year deal, also with the Giants, on March 19.
Along with potential opt-outs from Chapman, Bellinger and Snell, Boras still has a strong group of potential free agents for next winter, including New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto, New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso and Baltimore Orioles right-hander Corbin Burnes.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
