If the RS sign Montgomery are you satisfied with the off-season?

[In my lifetime]

Obviously, the great majority of us are not satisfied with the off-season so far. What is your opinion if RS sign Montgomery (edit) at 5 yrs or less @ no more than 25 million per annum ?

To help with your decision, I have included all the FA signings and the RS significant trades thus far:

PLAYER	POS	TRANSACTION
Vaughn Grissom	SS	Traded From Atlanta (for LHP Chris Sale and cash)
Tyler O'Neill	LF	Traded From St. Louis (for RHPs Nick Robertson & Victor Santos)
Justin Slaten	P	Traded From NY Mets (for LHP Ryan Ammons and cash)
Greg Weissert	RP	Traded From NY Yankees (for OF Alex Verdugo, four-player deal)
Isaiah Campbell	RP	Traded From Seattle (for INF Luis Urias)

Player	P	Age	From	TOR	Yr	Total	Annual
Shohei Ohtani QO	SP	29	LAA	LAD	10	$700,000,000	$70,000,000
Yoshinobu Yamamoto	SP	25	NA	LAD	12	$325,000,000	$27,083,333
Sonny Gray QO	SP	34	MIN	STL	3	$75,000,000	$25,000,000
Aaron Nola QO	SP	30	PHI	PHI	7	$172,000,000	$24,571,429
Teoscar Hernandez	RF	31	SEA	LAD	1	$23,500,000	$23,500,000
Eduardo Rodriguez	SP	31	DET	ARI	4	$80,000,000	$20,000,000
Lucas Giolito	SP	29	CLE	BOS	2	$38,500,000	$19,250,000
Josh Hader QO	RP	30	SD	HOU	5	$95,000,000	$19,000,000
Jung-hoo Lee	OF	25	NA	SF	6	$113,000,000	$18,833,333
Marcus Stroman	SP	33	CHC	NYY	2	$37,000,000	$18,500,000
Rhys Hoskins	1B	31	PHI	MIL	2	$34,000,000	$17,000,000
Michael Wacha	SP	32	SD	KC	2	$32,000,000	$16,000,000
Frankie Montas	SP	31	NYY	CIN	1	$16,000,000	$16,000,000
Seth Lugo	SP	34	SD	KC	3	$45,000,000	$15,000,000
Jeimer Candelario	3B	30	CHC	CIN	3	$45,000,000	$15,000,000
Jorge Soler	DH	32	MIA	SF	3	$42,000,000	$14,000,000
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.	OF	30	ARI	ARI	3	$42,000,000	$14,000,000
Sean Manaea	SP	32	SF	NYM	2	$28,000,000	$14,000,000
Jack Flaherty	SP	28	BAL	DET	1	$14,000,000	$14,000,000
Nick Martinez	RP	33	SD	CIN	2	$26,000,000	$13,000,000
Justin Turner	3B	39	BOS	TOR	1	$13,000,000	$13,000,000
Craig Kimbrel	RP	36	PHI	BAL	1	$13,000,000	$13,000,000
Luis Severino	SP	30	NYY	NYM	1	$13,000,000	$13,000,000
Kyle Gibson	SP	36	BAL	STL	1	$13,000,000	$13,000,000
Joc Pederson	LF	32	SF	ARI	1	$12,500,000	$12,500,000
Mitch Garver	C	33	TEX	SEA	2	$24,000,000	$12,000,000
Kenta Maeda	SP	36	MIN	DET	2	$24,000,000	$12,000,000
Jordan Hicks	SP	27	TOR	SF	4	$44,000,000	$11,000,000
Robert Stephenson	RP	31	TB	LAA	3	$33,000,000	$11,000,000
Tyler Mahle	SP	29	MIN	TEX	2	$22,000,000	$11,000,000
Lance Lynn	SP	37	LAD	STL	1	$11,000,000	$11,000,000
Aroldis Chapman	RP	36	TEX	PIT	1	$10,500,000	$10,500,000
Harrison Bader	CF	30	CIN	NYM	1	$10,500,000	$10,500,000
Kevin Kiermaier	CF	34	TOR	TOR	1	$10,500,000	$10,500,000
Reynaldo López	RP	30	CLE	ATL	3	$30,000,000	$10,000,000
Hector Neris	RP	35	HOU	CHC	1	$9,000,000	$9,000,000
Matt Moore	RP	35	MIA	LAA	1	$9,000,000	$9,000,000
Jason Heyward	RF	34	LAD	LAD	1	$9,000,000	$9,000,000
Brandon Woodruff	SP	31	MIL	MIL	2	$17,500,000	$8,750,000
Alex Wood	SP	33	SF	OAK	1	$8,500,000	$8,500,000
Wade Miley	SP	37	MIL	MIL	1	$8,500,000	$8,500,000
Emilio Pagan	RP	33	MIN	CIN	2	$16,000,000	$8,000,000
Whit Merrifield	RF	35	TOR	PHI	1	$8,000,000	$8,000,000
Martin Perez	SP	33	TEX	PIT	1	$8,000,000	$8,000,000
Joe Kelly	RP	35	LAD	LAD	1	$8,000,000	$8,000,000
Isiah Kiner-Falefa	SS	29	NYY	TOR	2	$15,000,000	$7,500,000
Jake Junis	RP	31	SF	MIL	1	$7,000,000	$7,000,000
James Paxton	SP	35	BOS	LAD	1	$7,000,000	$7,000,000
Hunter Renfroe	RF	32	CIN	KC	2	$13,000,000	$6,500,000
Phil Maton	RP	31	HOU	TB	1	$6,500,000	$6,500,000
Victor Caratini	C	30	MIL	HOU	2	$12,000,000	$6,000,000
Keynan Middleton	RP	30	NYY	STL	1	$6,000,000	$6,000,000
John Brebbia	RP	34	SF	CHW	1	$5,500,000	$5,500,000
Carlos Santana	1B	38	MIL	MIN	1	$5,250,000	$5,250,000
Liam Hendriks	RP	35	CHW	BOS	2	$10,000,000	$5,000,000
Clayton Kershaw	SP	36	LAD	LAD	2	$10,000,000	$5,000,000
Tim Anderson	SS	31	CHW	MIA	1	$5,000,000	$5,000,000
Joey Gallo	1B	30	MIN	WSH	1	$5,000,000	$5,000,000
Andrew McCutchen	RF	37	PIT	PIT	1	$5,000,000	$5,000,000
Will Smith	RP	34	TEX	KC	1	$5,000,000	$5,000,000
Andrew Chafin	RP	33	MIL	DET	1	$4,750,000	$4,750,000
Adam Frazier	2B	32	BAL	KC	1	$4,500,000	$4,500,000
Adam Ottavino	RP	38	NYM	NYM	1	$4,500,000	$4,500,000
Kirby Yates	RP	37	ATL	TEX	1	$4,500,000	$4,500,000
Martin Maldonado	C	37	HOU	CHW	1	$4,250,000	$4,250,000
Luis Garcia	RP	37	SD	LAA	1	$4,250,000	$4,250,000
Wandy Peralta	RP	33	NYY	SD	4	$16,500,000	$4,125,000
Tom Murphy	C	33	SEA	SF	2	$8,250,000	$4,125,000
Chris Stratton	RP	33	TEX	KC	2	$8,000,000	$4,000,000
Austin Hedges	C	31	TEX	CLE	1	$4,000,000	$4,000,000
Shintaro Fujinami	RP	30	BAL	NYM	1	$3,350,000	$3,350,000
Shelby Miller	RP	33	LAD	DET	1	$3,250,000	$3,250,000
Rowdy Tellez	1B	29	MIL	PIT	1	$3,200,000	$3,200,000
Gary Sánchez	C	31	SD	MIL	1	$3,000,000	$3,000,000
Kevin Pillar (minor)	CF	35	ATL	CHW	1	$3,000,000	$3,000,000
Brent Suter	RP	34	COL	CIN	1	$3,000,000	$3,000,000
Yasmani Grandal	C	35	CHW	PIT	1	$2,500,000	$2,500,000
Scott Alexander	RP	35	SF	OAK	1	$2,250,000	$2,250,000
Buck Farmer	RP	33	CIN	CIN	1	$2,250,000	$2,250,000
Dylan Floro	RP	33	MIN	WSH	1	$2,250,000	$2,250,000
Randal Grichuk	RF	33	LAA	ARI	1	$2,000,000	$2,000,000
Dan Vogelbach (minor)	DH	31	NYM	TOR	1	$2,000,000	$2,000,000
Mike Moustakas (minor)	3B	35	LAA	CHW	1	$2,000,000	$2,000,000
Spencer Turnbull	SP	31	DET	PHI	1	$2,000,000	$2,000,000
Carlos Carrasco (minor)	SP	37	NYM	CLE	1	$2,000,000	$2,000,000
Luke Weaver	SP	30	NYY	NYY	1	$2,000,000	$2,000,000
Jacob Stallings	C	34	MIA	COL	1	$2,000,000	$2,000,000
Jorge Lopez	RP	31	BAL	NYM	1	$2,000,000	$2,000,000
Nick Senzel	CF	28	CIN	WSH	1	$2,000,000	$2,000,000
Joey Wendle	3B	34	MIA	NYM	1	$2,000,000	$2,000,000
Garrett Hampson	SS	29	MIA	KC	1	$2,000,000	$2,000,000
Andrew Knizner	C	29	STL	TEX	1	$1,825,000	$1,825,000
Tim Hill	RP	34	SD	CHW	1	$1,800,000	$1,800,000
Dominic Smith (minor)	1B	29	WSH	CHC	1	$1,750,000	$1,750,000
Jose Cisnero	RP	35	DET	LAA	1	$1,750,000	$1,750,000
Ken Giles (minor)	RP	33	LAD	ATL	1	$1,750,000	$1,750,000
Chris Flexen	RP	29	COL	CHW	1	$1,750,000	$1,750,000
Joe Ross	SP	31	SF	MIL	1	$1,750,000	$1,750,000
Paul DeJong	SS	30	SF	CHW	1	$1,750,000	$1,750,000
Travis Jankowski	LF	33	TEX	TEX	1	$1,700,000	$1,700,000
Adam Cimber	RP	33	TOR	LAA	1	$1,650,000	$1,650,000
Giovanny Urshela	1B	32	LAA	DET	1	$1,500,000	$1,500,000
Amed Rosario	SS	28	LAD	TB	1	$1,500,000	$1,500,000
Dakota Hudson	RP	29	STL	COL	1	$1,500,000	$1,500,000
Trevor Gott	RP	31	NYM	OAK	1	$1,500,000	$1,500,000
Austin Voth	SP	32	BAL	SEA	1	$1,250,000	$1,250,000
Trey Wingenter (minor)	RP	30	DET	DET	1	$1,200,000	$1,200,000
Luis Guillorme	SS	29	NYM	ATL	1	$1,100,000	$1,100,000
Chris Devenski	RP	33	TB	TB	1	$1,100,000	$1,100,000
Jurickson Profar	LF	31	SD	SD	1	$1,000,000	$1,000,000
Kolby Allard	SP	26	ATL	PHI	1	$1,000,000	$1,000,000
Zach Plesac	SP	29	CLE	LAA	1	$1,000,000	$1,000,000
Eric Haase	C	31	CLE	MIL	1	$1,000,000	$1,000,000
Cooper Criswell	RP	27	TB	BOS	1	$1,000,000	$1,000,000
Michael Tonkin	RP	34	ATL	NYM	1	$1,000,000	$1,000,000
Josh Staumont	RP	30	KC	MIN	1	$950,000	$950,000
Adam Kolarek	RP	35	ATL	LAA	1	$900,000	$900,000
Yerry De Los Santos (minor)	RP	26	PIT	NYY	1	$900,000	$900,000
Ricky Vanasco	SP	25	LAD	LAD	1	$900,000	$900,000
Josh Fleming	SP	28	PHI	PIT	1	$850,000	$850,000
Austin Adams	RP	33	ARI	NYM	1	$800,000	$800,000
Ben Lively	SP	32	CIN	CLE	1	$750,000	$750,000
Aaron Hicks	CF	34	BAL	LAA	1	$740,000	$740,000
Matt Carpenter	3B	38	ATL	STL	1	$740,000	$740,000

 

[mikeford]

It's still a bad offseason IMO because they needed to sign a top of the line guy and I don't believe Montgomery is one of those.

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

If they sign him for a reasonable deal, I will be pretty happy for a couple of reasons. First, because it is a big need and he is a good player. Second, because I think Boras has been behind the scenes working very hard to push a narrative that the Red Sox are cheap and trying to put pressure on the club that is Monty’s most natural fit. Signing him would make me at least a bit hopeful that we are not really looking at a full blown cheap Henry era, but that some of the mixed messages have been the Sox keeping their powder dry and fighting fire with fire. Maybe that’s delusional but I would take some good feeling from a Monty signing.

 

[moondog80]

It’s impossible to say without knowing the terms. 4/100? Sure. 6/150? Not so much.

 

[JCizzle]

If they sign him for a reasonable deal, I will be pretty happy for a couple of reasons. First, because it is a big need and he is a good player. Second, because I think Boras has been behind the scenes working very hard to push a narrative that the Red Sox are cheap and trying to put pressure on the club that is Monty’s most natural fit. Signing him would make me at least a bit hopeful that we are not really looking at a full blown cheap Henry era, but that some of the mixed messages have been the Sox keeping their powder dry and fighting fire with fire. Maybe that’s delusional but I would take some good feeling from a Monty signing.

I think this is a pretty reasonable take. I voted 'good' for pretty much the same reason. He's not an ace, but signing him (to a reasonable deal!) would do a lot to (1) settle the rotation and (2) the narrative surrounding the team.

 

[In my lifetime]

I didn't realize Montgomery's wife is a Derm resident in Boston. That has to help.

 

[Apisith]

It would be an okay offseason. A good one would mean extensions for Bello and Casas got done as well.

 

[Tony Pena's Gas Cloud]

Pretty much echoing what Moondog says. If it's on their terms or at least a happy medium, it's great. On Boras' terms, downgrade to a good but with slight disappointment.

 

[Daniel_Son]

It'd be a great offseason IMO. Montgomery, Bello, Giolito, Pivetta, and Crawford is a really solid rotation with a lot of upside. At worst, they give you a lot of solid innings, which should help the bullpen stay more consistently effective. Grissom + Story up the middle is a huge improvement over last year, too.

 

[cornwalls@6]

Voted good, but as others have noted that would depend on the terms of the deal. He’s not an ace, but a very solid starter who would stabilize the rotation, and allow a couple of other guys to be slotted accordingly in the pen. Him, and a solid right handed bat, and I can talk myself into them being a legit WC contender. No feel for whether they will actually do either.

 

[geoflin]

It would be just OK because they would have signed 2 starting pitchers (assuming the price is reasonable for Montgomery) and added a 2B but they lost 2 RH hitters (Duvall and Turner) and added only 1 (O'Neill) while failing to replace their back up corner infielder so haven't addressed those areas of need.

 

[YTF]

It would be just OK because they would have signed 2 starting pitchers (assuming the price is reasonable for Montgomery) and added a 2B but they lost 2 RH hitters (Duvall and Turner) and added only 1 (O'Neill) while failing to replace their back up corner infielder so haven't addressed those areas of need.

Not for nothing, but the 2B that they added is a RHH

 

[HfxBob]

Good enough.

 

[MonstahsInLeft]

I didn't realize Montgomery's wife is a Derm resident in Boston. That has to help.

I believe it’s just an intern year in Boston and then completing her residency elsewhere :-(

 

[Montana Fan]

If Breslow upgrades the pitching staff, the defense, the hitting and the minor league pitching all in one offseason, then in my opinion there is only one word that would describe his efforts, GREAT!

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

I've actually somewhat liked the offseason so far. Depending on the terms of the Montgomery deal, the offseason would get either better or worse for me.

 

[Montana Fan]

A lot of posters are fretting about what the finances of a Montgomery deal might be. Not me, not one whit. Get it done Theo.

 

[Tony Pena's Gas Cloud]

A lot of posters are fretting about what the finances of a Montgomery deal might be. Not me, not one whit. Get it done Theo.

It's not just the finances, it's the years. Boras is going to want 6-7 years. You want to go there with a pitcher already in his 30s?

 

[Montana Fan]

It's not just the finances, it's the years. Boras is going to want 6-7 years. You want to go there with a pitcher already in his 30s?

Gotcha. Am hoping it’s a 5 year deal and that he’s healthy for the entirety.

 

[joe dokes]

It's not just the finances, it's the years. Boras is going to want 6-7 years. You want to go there with a pitcher already in his 30s?

I'm day to day, like the rest of us. If they sign him to a contract that's "too long," I'll mentally deal with the back end when it happens. I just can't get worked up over the "fact" that a move that's good for, say, 2024-26 runs a risk of sidetracking the team in 2027-30.

I'll tell you how satisfied I am with the off-season on October 1.

 

[BaseballJones]

For me the question on the back end of a 6-year Montgomery contract is not whether his on-field performance would be good or bad. Let's just assume that years 5 and 6, he's no longer a viable major league starter, and they're paying $25m a year for a guy who can't come close to getting the job done. To me the question is: at that point in time will that financial commitment ($25m in "dead" money - because they can just release the guy; yes they'd have to pay him but they could release him and not have to play* him if he's that bad) hamstring the organization, and prevent them from getting the players they need/want?

Given their current situation (below the tax) and with all the young guys coming up, I'd like to think that such a contract - as distasteful as it would be years 5 and 6 - would not hamstring the organization at all. So I'd be ok with it.

*EDIT: My original was a type and said "not have to pay him". I meant PLAY. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[bernie carb 33]

Probably a moot point, as Cohen of the Mets might replace Kodai Senga with Monty. Senga, their #1 in the rotation, is now on the IL with a shoulder. Boras has been waiting for the injury bug to happen.

 

[6-5 Sadler]

Good enough.

Yeah that’s how I would feel (assuming a reasonable contract). Just enough to be competitive this year while continuing to move the ball forward to position us to compete in the future (getting Grissom, improving pitching depth in minors, not touching ATM).

 

[CR67dream]

To me the question is: at that point in time will that financial commitment ($25m in "dead" money - because they can just release the guy; yes they'd have to pay him but they could release him and not have to pay him if he's that bad)

This is confusing me, can you clarify?

 

[BaseballJones]

This is confusing me, can you clarify?

Yes, a typo. I meant they wouldn't have to PLAY him if he's that bad. They'd have to pay him the $$, but nothing obligates them to PLAY him. They could just eat the money and release him if necessary.

 

[CR67dream]

Yes, a typo. I meant they wouldn't have to PLAY him if he's that bad. They'd have to pay him the $$, but nothing obligates them to PLAY him. They could just eat the money and release him if necessary.

Thanks.

Personally, I'd want nothing to do with a six year contract. I'd put 4/110 or so on the table, I'd even entertain a year 5 option, and if that's not getting it done, fine with me. He's a good but not great pitcher that is not the kind of player I would be willing to flush huge dollars for on the back end of a deal.

 

[YTF]

For me the question on the back end of a 6-year Montgomery contract is not whether his on-field performance would be good or bad. Let's just assume that years 5 and 6, he's no longer a viable major league starter, and they're paying $25m a year for a guy who can't come close to getting the job done. To me the question is: at that point in time will that financial commitment ($25m in "dead" money - because they can just release the guy; yes they'd have to pay him but they could release him and not have to pay him if he's that bad) hamstring the organization, and prevent them from getting the players they need/want?

Given their current situation (below the tax) and with all the young guys coming up, I'd like to think that such a contract - as distasteful as it would be years 5 and 6 - would not hamstring the organization at all. So I'd be ok with it.

I might see five years with some incentives and an option for a 6th . If they weren't so steadfast about payroll they could front load some of it for the first season or two. Admittedly I'm not the best at this sort of thing so I'm just tossing shit against the wall here because quite frankly I think Montgomery helps the team contend for a WC spot. Something like 5 years $126M (30, 27, 27, 22, 20) sprinkle in some incentives if it helps and perhaps a mutual option for a 6th year. Those who have a better grasp on this stuff better than I, feel free to chime in with your thoughts or perhaps use it as a jumping off point.

 

[Sandy Leon Trotsky]

Probably a moot point, as Cohen of the Mets might replace Kodai Senga with Monty. Senga, their #1 in the rotation, is now on the IL with a shoulder. Boras has been waiting for the injury bug to happen.

I think the Mets actually are operating under a harder self-imposed cap this season than the Sox. They spent a crazy amount and are still paying- pitchers on other teams. I think they’re in a place similar to the Sox in ‘20

 

[pdub]

I would be happy but also concerned if signing Montgomery would take us out of next year's free agent race. As an example, Roki Sasaki projects to be posted, and he's even younger than Yamamoto, so I'd rather invest there. At the end of the day, Montgomery is a solid #2 who is also 31 years old, but he might get paid like a #1.

 

[dynomite]

I would be happy but also concerned if signing Montgomery would take us out of next year's free agent race. As an example, Roki Sasaki projects to be posted, and he's even younger than Yamamoto, so I'd rather invest there. At the end of the day, Montgomery is a solid #2 who is also 31 years old, but he might get paid like a #1.

Well, the Sox currently have ~$100M committed for 2025 per Sportrac, with a number of players set to hit free agency after this season (Jansen, Chris Martin, Pivetta, O’Neill), and it could be even more if Giolito opts out. Even if they signed Jordan Montgomery, they should still have plenty of room to work with.

Personally, I think I’ll vote “Good” if they sign JorMont. It’s not the offseason of my dreams, but it would be a solid investment in the team, one that gives me genuine hope for the 2024 season.

 

[billy ashley]

It's shocking that if they signed Montgomery, they'd be in the conversation or the best projected (by ZIPs) rotation in the division. That's pretty freaking wild.

As others have said in this thread, it's hard to know how to evaluate the off-season without knowing the terms of a deal... it also would have been nice to extend Bello and Casas.

However, with Montgomery, Boston could credibly say that they positioned themselves for a possible playoff berth (if you believe ZIPs), while also adding two potential starting pitchers to the farm (Fits, Sandlin) without giving up that much. They also collected a bunch nice potential bullpen arms, again without giving up much.

I think most people would agree that Breslow (Much like Bloom before him) has done a nice job with the "around the margins" moves this off-season. I don't know if it makes sense to go all in or Montgomery, but I think it's hard not to view this off-season as successful if they make 1 big acquisition and a bunch of really good secondary deals.

 

[simplicio]

I would be happy but also concerned if signing Montgomery would take us out of next year's free agent race. As an example, Roki Sasaki projects to be posted, and he's even younger than Yamamoto, so I'd rather invest there. At the end of the day, Montgomery is a solid #2 who is also 31 years old, but he might get paid like a #1.

Roki being posted this year would be an Ohtani (first contract) situation, not a Yamamoto one, as he won't be 25 yet. So it won't be for the money, it'll be about the destination. That's likely SD (he's a Yu Darvish Stan) or, you know, the Dodgers probably.

 

[Yo La Tengo]

I would be happy but also concerned if signing Montgomery would take us out of next year's free agent race. As an example, Roki Sasaki projects to be posted, and he's even younger than Yamamoto, so I'd rather invest there. At the end of the day, Montgomery is a solid #2 who is also 31 years old, but he might get paid like a #1.

The Sox can add ~$75 million to the CBT payroll this year and incur a penalty of around $12 million. And if the team added that amount of payroll this year, they would still be roughly $90 million below the "draft pick" threshold for 2025, giving them a huge amount of flexibility now and in the future (as discussed in the CBT thread, there would be impacts on on signing/losing a player with a qualifying offer).

 

[Dewey'sCannon]

If they sign Montgomery, I have to assume it will be a 'reasonable" deal - I don't think they are going to panic and sign him to something they don't think is reasonable, and I'll trust their judgment on that.

So I voted "good."

 

[uncannymanny]

“Good” if they sign Montgomery. Feels like they weren’t aggressive enough on the kids, which is disappointing.

 

[RSC3000]

I'm "good" as he was one of my top targets going into this offseason besides Yamo like most people here. Assuming it's a reasonable deal, I don't see a scenario where adding him is not a net gain. I like most the moves Breslow he's made, whether they work out or not, we'll see. But from whats been done, not a lot to hate. Should add - bringing in Bailey/Willard/Boddy are likely going to be the most meaningful additions they've made. Can't even remember the last time I saw that much infrastructure change in one offseason.

Was also hoping to see extensions for Bello, Casas and Pivetta (I'm bullish on him having a really strong contract year). I guess there's some time on that front, but not confident those things happen. If we're not spending money to bring in more talent, would atleast like to see them utilize that payroll space to eat / pay down contracts to accumulate more assets, similar to the Sale trade.

 

[RedOctober3829]

I consider it a pretty good offseason if they get Montgomery(or Snell for that matter). That is why I am so frustrated. Monty or Snell represents a good starting pitcher that can serve as a building block for the future while also competing for a playoff spot now. If they can go ahead and add another RH power bat, that would be great too.

 

[OCD SS]

I voted for "good" but that's grading on a curve given the second class nature of the FA class on one hand and the extra limitations on spending that seem to be coming from ownership. What the Sox need for the next few years are innings to help stabilize the rotation around, and that's Monty. His age/ performance has enough warts that I don't mind waiting him out to bring the years down (and the thread premise would seem to require that).

Besides Monty, none of the other Boras 4 make sense. Bellinger is a LHH OFer, of which the Sox already have too many. Chapaman used to be a great defensive 3Bman, but he's declining and whatever the issues with Devers defense, it would be a poor use of resources to push him off 3B when 1B/ DH are already filled (and especially when those resources are much scarcer than we thought). Snell is very high variance and if you're not getting an Cy Young season with 180 IP, you're getting less than 130 of very average production.

They haven't really addressed all their other issues (RHH power), but Breslow's creativity came through and they've patched the holes on the cheap.

 

[ElcaballitoMVP]

As long as the contract isn't crazy, I'd call it a "good" offseason. You can see a plan from Breslow and co. taking shape, addressing the glaring pitching needs this organization has. He's added youth in Grissom in exchange for an aging, oft-injured Sale and cash. He's replaced Duval with a better fielding OF who has power upside. There would still be some question marks on the MLB roster but considering the spending restrictions Breslow has apparently been on, he'd have put together a solid squad while continuing to build for the future.

I'd call it solid, if unspectacular (no Ohtani, Yamamoto) and a step in the right direction. And I'd put it into the "great" category if Breslow can get Casas and/or Bello signed to extensions.

Not signing Monty would put me in the Bad to Okay level. It would be a "bad" offseason for ownership, because it only costs money to sign Monty and they have plenty of room to add him. "Okay" for Breslow because while he might want Monty, he might not get approval to give out the contract it would take to sign him and not finding an alternative for the rotation could come back to haunt them.

 

[TomRicardo]

The question on the poll and the question in the title of thread are completely different things.

The moves made this offseason minus Giolito have been great (you would have liked Giolito had another year of control to be great, not a bad move though). That said even with Montgomery, this team did far too little to be a legitimate contender. With Montgomery, they have an outside chance at a wild card berth. A ton of shit would have to break their way to realistically be talking about playoffs.

 

[DanoooME]

Some of their moves have been good (Grissom, O'Neill), but I don't think Montgomery is that good and unless they got him on a 1 year pillow contract, I wouldn't be happy they signed him for any significant money. I think Montgomery's pitching style has little margin for error and in Fenway, those mistakes are going over the Monster and their effects magnified. They need pitching, and top notch pitching, and I'd rather pay too much to Snell than to Montgomery.

 

[TubeSoxs]

Coming in I was hopeful they’d either sign Yamamoto or trade for a top end young starter. Seems like the lack of arms in the farm system hampered their trade market. Honestly all things considering I don’t believe Breslow did that bad of a job. He brought in a couple top twenty pitching prospects, which Bloom failed at doing. If ownership is limiting spending I’d much rather just see what they have in their young players over signing journeyman stop gaps. I liked Grissom and O’Neal pick ups. Hopefully Breslow can continue to get creative, maybe bring in another arm that’s on the cusp of being ready.

 

[TubeSoxs]

Roki being posted this year would be an Ohtani (first contract) situation, not a Yamamoto one, as he won't be 25 yet. So it won't be for the money, it'll be about the destination. That's likely SD (he's a Yu Darvish Stan) or, you know, the Dodgers probably.

Wouldn’t still be somewhat about money, as in what a team could pay out of their international signing pool? L.A. will be incurring some penalties I believe and will prob have less money going in, maybe not enough to make that much of a difference though.

 

[simplicio]

Wouldn’t still be somewhat about money, as in what a team could pay out of their international signing pool? L.A. will be incurring some penalties I believe and will prob have less money going in, maybe not enough to make that much of a difference though.

Yeah they might have less IFA money, but given that the bulk of his pre-arb income would probably be coming from endorsements anyway, seems like being based in LA would probably be a good strategy for making up the difference (and then some).

 

[circus catch]

I'm generally on board with whatever the Sox do, try to see it from their way because they have a whole team of smart people working on everything. But I fail to understand the conservatism of everyone here. If they sign Montgomery to a shorter deal, it will be with opt outs, and he could be gone in a year. If that happens, who are you going to sign then? Yamamoto was worth a big contract. the Sox tried and couldn't get him. Who will they get next? Will it be another pillow contract?

When Nola signed for 7 and 172 it was reported that Boras wanted Montgomery to break that figure. So what? Its not a terrible AAV. A cheap deal for Montgomery would have been 4 years and a 100. he was never going to sign for that without opt outs. I say pay the man. You get three real good years out him, two solid years, and two back of the rotation years, and he will earn pretty much all of that money. Salaries are only going to go up, and I'd like for the Sox to at least make some move that implies we could contend soon.

 

[jteders1]

I voted for good to very good. Coming into this offseason this team desperately needed consistent starting pitching. To be able to sign arguably the two best innings eaters on the market would be a nice get for Breslow. Every other deal he's made I've been fairly excited about. Trading a season of Sale for 6 years of Grissom control who could be a very good second baseman was an excellent move. Also building up the minor-league pitching depth with intriguing arms has been a plus. Throw in the fact that he appears severely handcuffed by management, and I don't see how you could view this as anything worse than just ok, and an ace acquisition away from excellent.

 

[HfxBob]

I'm generally on board with whatever the Sox do, try to see it from their way because they have a whole team of smart people working on everything. But I fail to understand the conservatism of everyone here. If they sign Montgomery to a shorter deal, it will be with opt outs, and he could be gone in a year. If that happens, who are you going to sign then? Yamamoto was worth a big contract. the Sox tried and couldn't get him. Who will they get next? Will it be another pillow contract?

When Nola signed for 7 and 172 it was reported that Boras wanted Montgomery to break that figure. So what? Its not a terrible AAV. A cheap deal for Montgomery would have been 4 years and a 100. he was never going to sign for that without opt outs. I say pay the man. You get three real good years out him, two solid years, and two back of the rotation years, and he will earn pretty much all of that money. Salaries are only going to go up, and I'd like for the Sox to at least make some move that implies we could contend soon.

As much as I want us to sign Montgomery, he hasn't been as good as Nola and shouldn't be paid as much. If Boras was really shooting for more than Nola got he was being ridiculous and it's no wonder Monty is still waiting.

 

[Sandy Leon Trotsky]

As much as I want us to sign Montgomery, he hasn't been as good as Nola and shouldn't be paid as much. If Boras was really shooting for more than Nola got he was being ridiculous and it's no wonder Monty is still waiting.

Agreed. I want him and wish Bloom traded for him in July, but he’s not worth and should be paid ace-level money. Boras wanting that isn’t just trying to get the most- it’s also an attempt to set the future market for Pivetta types to ridiculously high costs as the standard, rather than an outlier

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

I'm generally on board with whatever the Sox do, try to see it from their way because they have a whole team of smart people working on everything. But I fail to understand the conservatism of everyone here. If they sign Montgomery to a shorter deal, it will be with opt outs, and he could be gone in a year. If that happens, who are you going to sign then? Yamamoto was worth a big contract. the Sox tried and couldn't get him. Who will they get next? Will it be another pillow contract?

He could be gone in a year, but I doubt it. He's coming off a great year, how much better might he really be this year to exercise the opt out and try again at 32 years old? This is very different from the Giolito situation where he's trying to re-establish value. Montgomery's value is likely never going to be higher than it is this offseason.

 

[Rasputin]

How the hell are there 156 people who think this off season has gone better than I do?

It's been a halfway decent off season. I like most of the moves. Depending on the details of a Montgomery contract, I'll probably like it.

But we need a legitimate ace and Montgomery isn't it.