Insider: Boras “Banking On An Injury” For Teams To Engage On Snell, Montgomery

So why aren't top free agent pitchers Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery signed yet? The obvious answer is that their asking prices, courtesy agent Scott Boras, are too outrageous for teams to bite on. But now, Spring Training has opened around baseball, and in addition to the familiar sounds of bat hitting ball, we can also expect to see the familiar sight of pitchers hitting the injured list.

And according to MLB insider Ken Rosenthal, that's exactly what Boras is hoping for at this point:

"Teams are not necessarily going to jump for Jordan Montgomery or Blake Snell...when they have an injury"@Ken_Rosenthal weighs in on the Kodai Senga injury and it's possible effect on the two big free agent pitchers remaining.

▶️ https://t.co/3FSR6BcoFi pic.twitter.com/KpjhOZgFH7
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) February 23, 2024

"Certainly, I would imagine that Scott Boras, to some extent is banking on injuries," opined Rosenthal, while not suggesting that the notorious agent is actually rooting for people to get hurt. "He understands, as we all do, that pitchers get hurt the moment camps open. Perhaps it happens with a team that is willing to spend on Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery."

We've already seen the New York Mets suffer an injury to top starter Kodai Senga, and others will undoubtedly follow. Will that encourage teams to spend beyond their budget to plug a hole in the rotation with one of Boras's clients? Rosenthal isn't so sure:

"Teams are not necessarily going to jump for Jordan Montgomery or Blake Snell...when they have an injury. There are two teams we've seen now with guys that are at least questionable—the Orioles with Kyle Bradish, though he's throwing, and now the Mets with Senga...

"It's just surprising that these teams are holding the line so much, it appears, on the Boras clients. I don't know how long it lasts."

Snell has so far requested an insane deal of 9 years, $270 million from the New York Yankees, according to Bob Nightengale. It's not known if he's trying that ridiculous ask on other clubs. Montgomery's price is not quite as outrageous, looking for a deal in the $20-$25 million range per season. But for how many seasons will be the real sticking point. One report earlier in the off-season had him looking to beat Aaron Nola's extension with the Philadelphia Phillies, which was for seven years and $172 million.

Right now, teams everywhere are calling Boras's bluff.

Photo: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports