Scott Boras loses star client after long, disappointing offseason

After helping lead the Texas Rangers to their first World Series title in October, Montgomery had a surprisingly difficult time finding a new home over the winter. The southpaw finally agreed to a one-year, $25M deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks on March 28, which was also the defending NL champion's Opening Day.

Montgomery hasn't appeared with the D-Backs yet, but made his Triple-A debut on Sunday and is expected to debut with Arizona at some point in April.

The Diamondbacks could use his help, as they're off to a 6-7 start.

Montgomery's underwhelming payday was the last in a string of tough deals for Boras clients.

It was reported in mid-March that the other three members of the "Boras Four" (starting pitcher Blake Snell, outfielder Cody Bellinger and third baseman Matt Chapman) had fallen over $150M short of predictions in guaranteed money on the offseason contracts they eventually signed.

Bellinger opted out of his deal with the Chicago Cubs in November before re-signing with the club in late February. He won the 2019 NL MVP with the Los Angeles Dodgers before his production significantly declined from 2020-22 and bounced back in 2023.

Chapman spent the first five seasons of his career with the Oakland Athletics before playing the 2022 and 2023 campaigns with the Toronto Blue Jays. The one-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove Award winner signed a one-year $18M contract with the San Francisco Giants in early March, a deal that includes player options for 2025 and 2026 and a mutual option for 2027.

Snell joined the Giants on March 19 via a two-year, $62M contract with an opt-out after 2024. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner made his San Francisco debut on Monday against the Washington Nationals, suffering a loss after allowing three runs (all earned) on three hits and two walks with five strikeouts over three innings.

This offseason, capped by now losing Montgomery, has been a blow to Boras' reputation, but as ESPN's Kiley McDaniel reported on Thursday, the 71-year-old still has plenty of star talent looking to cash in next offseason as possible free agents.

Among the most notable are Baltimore Orioles ace Corbin Burnes, New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto and New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso.