It's interesting to see Jordan Montgomery complain about free agency after posting a 6.25 ERA and minus-1.4 WAR on a $25 million annual salary (he'll make another $22.5 million in 2025 if he declines the opt-out). Shouldn't it be the Diamondbacks who should be complaining?
As for Montgomery recently telling the Boston Herald that he wished he could have signed with Boston, he reportedly never negotiated with the Red Sox when they expressed interest in a four-year deal.
The 2023 World Series hero seemed skeptical of Boston's chances in October (and he wasn't alone in that sentiment), opting to wait for an offer from the Rangers that never came. The Red Sox had a three-hour Zoom call with him, where he was told he could be a difference-maker, according to a club source, but ultimately chose other options.
Montgomery also turned down a four-year, $72 million extension offer from the Yankees and probably would have been better off with Arizona, but in hindsight, he could have easily gotten more money in Boston.
That could change in Baltimore, where owner David Rubenstein has a chance to retain ace pitcher Corbin Burnes. Snell likes San Francisco, but it will be a tough challenge at Camden Yards.
Cubs first baseman Michael Bush has done well at both positions, so it's interesting to see where Pete Alonso fits there now. One possibility is that Bush is so good defensively that he could be moved to second base.
Chapman's $151 million contract could raise the bar for Alonso, who received a seven-year, $158 million offer from the Mets last year. Chapman is an elite defender, but he is two years older than Alonso and has never reached 100 RBIs.
Why did Jose Iglesias have to sign a minor league contract four years in a row? Holy crap, he's been really good so far. The Mets should bring him back, this time on a major league contract.
