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One free agent remains available of the noted "Boras Four" as Opening Day is one week from today and starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery has yet to find a new team.
Despite being connected to Montgomery throughout the off-season, the interest from the Chicago Cubs has never reached the point where the team was ever a legitimate contender to sign the left-handed starting pitcher.
However, as Opening Day approaches, it's likely that Montgomery's next contract will be aligned with the Cubs' overall mindset heading into the regular season--opportunistic. It's also worth noting that if Montgomery signs with a team after Opening Day, he will not be eligible for a qualifying offer next off-season.
That ultimately could be the reason why Montgomery hasn't signed yet.
It would seem, though, that Montgomery's next team will not be his former team. The Texas Rangers, who acquired Montgomery at the MLB Trade Deadline last season, signed free-agent starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen on Wednesday night to a one-year deal.
Hope remains for the Chicago Cubs to sign Jordan Montgomery.
It would seem that the Rangers' signing of Lorenzen would indicate that a return to Texas is not in the cards for Montgomery. While the Cubs haven't been afraid to endorse their young arms as they prepare for the 2024 season, Montgomery remaining available likely has the front office intrigued.
It was earlier this Spring Training that Craig Counsell joked with Scott Boras about the idea he brought Montgomery with him to the press conference announcing Cody Bellinger's return to the Cubs. The injuries that have occurred since then, Jameson Taillon and Caleb Kilian, may have Counsell being more serious in his desire for Montgomery.
The Cubs' rotation has the potential to be good in 2024 but that is largely dependent on Taillon and rookie Shota Imanga. Montgomery would add much needed stability to a pitching staff that does not have the sniff of a post-season rotation currently.