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Did the Mariners trades open a door for the Texas Rangers to sign Jordan Montgomery?

By Michael Sanders |
Seattle Mariners v Texas Rangers
Seattle Mariners v Texas Rangers / Ron Jenkins/GettyImages
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The big news around the baseball world on Friday afternoon was the pair of trades that the Seattle Mariners made. Seattle traded Robbie Ray to the San Francisco Giants for Mitch Haniger and Anthony DeSclafani and $6 million in cash. They also traded Jose Caballero to the Tampa Bay Rays for Luke Raley. It was an unexpected move by Mariners General Manager Jerry Dipoto, but he is a GM known for pulling off trades. The question becomes is there another move Seattle has in mind and do these trades helps accomplish that? I am thinking is there a certain free agent lefty that Seattle might now pursue because they were able to save themselves 31.5 million in the Robbie Ray trade? Lets look at that and whether this might also indicate where Texas stands concerning Jordan Montgomery.

Is Seattle now in the market for a free agent starting pitcher?

It has been a weird offseason for the Mariners. The GM in his 2023 exit presser made news by saying his goal is to win 54% of his games rather than go all out for a World Series. They began the offseason by trading Eugenio Suarez to the Arizona Diamondbacks. They then leaked their intentions to not pursue Shohei Ohtani. They traded former top prospect Jarred Kelenic, Marcos Gonzales, and Evan White to the Braves for one minor leaguer and a disappointing former Kansas City Royals starter. They then signed Mitch Garver to a two-year contract. Their moves have been all over the place. Now they bring back fan favorite Mitch Haniger from San Francisco and acquire Luke Raley from the Rays. There is a method to Dipoto's madness, but even Mariners' fans are having a hard time figuring this offseason out.

The only way this makes sense is if Seattle is trying to clear money off the payroll to pursue a significant free agent. There have been reports throughout the offseason linking them to left-hander Blake Snell. It is unknown who is the leader in the race to sign the reigning NL Cy Young award winner. The LA Angels, SF Giants, Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox, and lately the New York Yankees have all expressed interest. Is Seattle lurking in the shadows for Blake Snell?

Snell make sense for the Mariners not only competitively, but also for business. Snell is a native of the Seattle area. He has expressed an interest in pitching for his hometown team. They also can pair him at the top of the rotation with George Kirby and Luis Castillo. They would have likely the best top-three starting rotation pitchers in all of baseball. Texas proved that dominant starting pitching can take a team deep into the postseason. Seattle has now cleared off some space and has added to their offense. If they can sign Snell to a long-term contract that will make them a more difficult team for Texas to compete against in the AL West.

Next: How does this impact the Texas Rangers?

Do these moves impact Texas' pursuit of Jordan Montgomery?

I actually think these Seattle moves could negatively impact Texas. The New York Yankees are desperate to add starting pitching. If Seattle does follow through and sign Snell that would increase the Yankees' desperation to add a starter. They would then focus all of their attention on Jordan Montgomery. I think New York would then offer Montgomery more money than Texas would be able to or feel comfortable with.

A report came out yesterday that Montgomery is seeking to surpass what Aaron Nola signed for earlier this offseason at six years and $172 million. He is likely looking for a contract for at least six years and then around $180 million or higher. That would take Montgomery from a $27-29 million per season to over $30 million per season. Is Texas willing to go that high? I am not so sure, but I do think if the Yankees are desperate enough they will be willing to go that high.

New York thought they were going to get Yoshinobu Yamamoto. They reportedly offered him 10 years and $300 million. Instead, Yamamoto signed with the Dodgers for 12 years and $325 million. He signed for more years and less money per season. New York has now turned their attention to Snell, Montgomery, or potentially trading for a starting pitcher like Dylan Cease.

Texas is still waiting out the Bally Sports deal and seeing if that will become official at a court hearing on January 10th. If it does and they receive a reported $90 million as Jon Heyman reported Texas could then engage with Montgomery and/or Josh Hader. They have reportedly been interested in both pitchers.

It is setting up to be a dynamic end to the offseason for the Texas Rangers. This feels like it will all be resolved by the end of the month and we will know who Texas will be bringing to Surprise, Arizona come Valentine's Day. Who knows maybe Seattle has a few more tricks up their sleeve this month to surprise the baseball world. Jerry Dipoto is like the snake in the grass that is always ready to pounce on a trade or a signing that comes his way.

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