Jordan Montgomery Blames Scott Boras For Failed Red Sox Negotiations

Jordan Montgomery underwent a series of offseason suitor considerations, which included a meeting with the Boston Red Sox, before signing a one-year, $25 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks in free agency.

Montgomery, who's in Boston for a three-game Red Sox-Diamondbacks weekend series at Fenway Park, opened up a bit on where the negotiation process went wrong. More specifically, the left-handed pitcher did some finger-pointing toward his ex-agent Scott Boras -- Montgomery departed affiliation from Boras shortly after settling for the one-year deal with Arizona, months after helping the Texas Rangers win the 2023 World Series.

"I had a Zoom call with (the Red Sox), that's really all I know. It went good," Montgomery said, per The Boston Herald's Mac Cerullo. "I don't know, obviously Boras kind of butchered it, so I'm just trying to move on from the offseason and try to forget it."

Initially, the plan was for Montgomery to seek a multi-year extension. Coming off a productive 32-start campaign (3.20 ERA) while also joining a free agency market heavily in favor of starting pitchers, Montgomery appeared on the verge of a major payday before settling for a one-year stay to revamp his stock value with Arizona -- so far a failed endeavor.

Montgomery was removed from Arizona's pitching rotation, which Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo revealed Friday as a "tough" decision. The 31-year-old logged an inflated 6.44 ERA through 19 starts with Arizona, leaving the team no choice but to transfer Montgomery to the bullpen.

What appeared to be an ideal match between Montgomery, a reliable southpaw with postseason experience, and the Diamondbacks, a still-hungry squad fresh off a World Series appearance, has since spoiled. Montgomery's stock value has significantly plummeted, and with Arizona sitting atop the National League wild card standings, it'll be increasingly difficult for Montgomery to repair the damage that's already been done. Montgomery's struggles carried over from the first half as the eight-year veteran has recorded a 6.44 ERA in six starts made since the MLB All-Star break.

The also playoff-hungry Red Sox, meanwhile, won't get to face Montgomery amid another critical series unless Lovullo signals for him out of the bullpen.