Current Red Sox free agent target described by insiders as a major bust

The Boston Red Sox had their four-year offer for a star free agent pitcher rejected last offseason, but that loss proved to be a huge victory for Boston.

After turning down the Red Sox’ offer, 2023 World Series champion Jordan Montgomery was signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks to a one-year deal that Arizona almost certainly regretted.

Montgomery has performed so poorly this season that Jim Bowden of The Athletic called the 31-year-old left-back the second-biggest disappointment of the entire season in an article published Friday.

“Jordan Montgomery was set to receive a lucrative free-agent contract last offseason, but after turning down a four-year deal with the Red Sox, his market dropped dramatically and he ended up signing a one-year, $25 million contract,” Diamondbacks, who have a vesting Player option for a second year included if he made 10 starts,” Bowden said.

“He succeeded in that, but not much else. Montgomery reported to the D-Backs out of shape, didn’t make his first start until April 19, and ultimately wasn’t even the pitcher he had been the previous three seasons, posting a 6.23 ERA in 21 and four Starts symptoms of relief. He would be a fool to return to free agency after this disastrous season. So expect him to return to the Diamondbacks unless they trade him this offseason.”

The Red Sox dodged a bullet when Montgomery opted out of their deal.

Now Boston’s chief baseball officer Craig Breslow is tasked with creating new deals for pitchers who can benefit the club, a task that is by far the most important of the Red Sox’s offseason.

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