PHOENIX, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 01: Corey Seager #5 of the Texas Rangers celebrates with teammates after the Texas Rangers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-0 in Game Five to win the World Series at Chase Field on November 01, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Astros Reportedly Could Pursue Red Sox Target Making Signing More Difficult
There are a handful of solid starting pitchers still looking for work despite Opening Day being just over a week away.
The Boston Red Sox — like many other teams — have been looking to add to the rotation but have failed to make any splashy moves. Boston signed Lucas Giolito earlier in the offseason, but he will miss the 2024 season.
Boston has been linked to a handful of other hurlers with the most prominent being former New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, and Texas Rangers pitcher Jordan Montgomery.
Montgomery would be a solid pickup but Boston doesn’t seem willing to spend at all at this time. There are other options out there at a cheaper price and one player who has been mentioned is one-time All-Star Michael Lorenzen.
Lorenzen also would be a solid pickup, but it sounds like Boson would have competition for his services as the Houston Astros also have been mentioned as a possible landing spot by The Athletic’s Chandler Rome.
“World Series hero Jordan Montgomery, a man with a career 3.68 ERA, is still seeking work,” Rome said. “Reigning American League All-Star Michael Lorenzen is among the free-agent starters still available, too. Clubs will start trimming their Spring Training rosters this week, too, perhaps putting more arms on the market.
“The Athletic’s Jim Bowden reported Tuesdays the Astros won’t pivot to Montgomery. Lorenzen would make sense as a more cost-effective alternative for a team already poised to exceed the competitive balance tax and carry its largest Opening Day payroll in franchise history.”
Lorenzen would be a solid mid-tier option for Boston but it’s unclear if it will be able to get a deal done with him.
