"I've seen how Jordan Montgomery struggled, but he signed” - Blake Snell defends Scott Boras after Monty blames agent for failed Red Sox deal
Blake Snell came to the defense of his much-maligned agent, Scott Boras. Boras has been linked to some of the biggest (and unsuccessful) free-agent contracts in MLB history but his clients, Snell, among three others, did not sign until very late in the offseason.
Jordan Montgomery, another major client of Boras, signed late and only landed a one-year, $25 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, which was lower than the originally expected nine-figure contract with the Boston Red Sox. Montgomery said to the Boston Herald that Boras might have "butchered" the negotiations.
However, Snell doesn't believe Boras deserves the blame:
"I've seen how (Jordan Montgomery) struggled, but he signed the deal that he ultimately wanted to sign. He has the choice. I don't know what other deals he was offered, but I know everything that was offered to me. It's just sad that he thinks that way when I see Scott as a very honorable man." (H/T Bleacher Report)
Montgomery had a very late start to the season and has struggled mightily, with an 8-6 record, a 6.44 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP so far this year. He has been demoted to the bullpen.
Blake Snell is full of praise for Scott Boras
Blake Snell also had a delayed start to the season, eventually signing with the San Francisco Giants for two years and $62 million. He struggled at the start of the season but has rebounded since.
Overall, he has a 3.76 ERA, 106 strikeouts in 79 innings and 1.11 WHIP. Despite the initial hard patch, he had nothing but good things to say about Boras:
"My experience with Scott has been great. He told me everything that was happening, all the offers I got. So for him to just get bashed for what I believe is false, that's not fair at all. I really strongly believe that." (H/T The Athletic)
Snell, Montgomery, Cody Bellinger and Matt Chapman all signed late, either right before, during or even after Spring Training.