Quick, someone print a shirt that reads, "I held out in free agency until two days before the start of the season and all I got was a one-year deal and this t-shirt" then ship it to Jordan Montgomery.
Montgomery ended his offseason-long free agency saga on Tuesday by signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He's getting a one-year deal worth $25 million with a vesting option on a second year.
Supposed super agent Scott Boras has now secured contracts for all four of his biggest clients: Cody Bellinger, Blake Snell, Matt Chapman and Montgomery. None of them got a long-term deal or even close to what they were seeking. They all settled for what amounts to "prove it" deals with opt-outs that will likely result in them reentering the free agency circus again next year. They all sacrificed some or all of their spring training preparation waiting to sign.
In Montgomery's case, he missed the entirety of spring training. He will need a few weeks to ramp back up into starting shape, potentially missing most of the first month of the season.
Ultimately, that's on Boras. And MLB Twitter is letting him have it.
Best memes and tweets on Scott Boras' free agency showing
Bellinger was seeking $200M+. He got $80M
ā Jacob Zanolla (@jz2016cubs) March 27, 2024
Chapman was seeking $150M+. He got $54M
Snell wanted $250M+. He got $62M.
Montgomery wanted $170M+. He got $25M
Scott Boras sold the bag (literally) this offseason. You love to see it pic.twitter.com/BpO2JUVLM5
This offseason, Scott Boras had:
ā Aaron Wilder (@AaronWilder_) March 27, 2024
- the reigning NL Cy Young
- a 28 YO former MVP coming off of a 4 WAR season
- A 30 year old 4x gold glove winner with 30 career WAR
- a super dependable and effective LHSP coming off of a WS win
And nobody signed a deal longer than 3 years
Scott Boras teaching a masterclass on how not to negotiate. Two pitchers coming off career years in late 30ās. Instead of getting them paid to ride off into the sunset, he gave them a bag of chips and a soda and said prove it again
ā QuackĀ®ļø (@Donald_Duck217) March 27, 2024
Scott Boras' offseason... pic.twitter.com/XAw52ARwa5
ā Eric Cross (@EricCross04) March 27, 2024
Scott Boras this offseason: pic.twitter.com/MS3TRY1p93
ā Ben Yoel (@Ben_Yoel) March 27, 2024
Scott Boras after seeing fans saying he was taking L's and not getting his clients the deals they wanted pic.twitter.com/9j13Exnbs7
ā Isaac (@iTalkStudiosYT) March 27, 2024
There is always the chance that Boras' clients cash in big time next year. But there is also the chance they bomb this season and wasted their window to land a lengthy and lucrative deal.
Montgomery had a career-best stretch with the Rangers last season with a 4-2 record and a 2.79 ERA in the regular season. He went 4-2 in the playoffs. He pitched 2.1 scoreless innings in Game 7 of the ALCS. He had three appearances with no earned runs allowed. It was an outstanding showing going into free agency.
Now, he's taking a risk by spending his age-31 season in prove-it mode once again.
Good job Boras. Good effort.