Limited Spring Training Could Stunt Blake Snell & Jordan Montgomery’s Synergy With New Teams

The clock is ticking for Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery. As pitchers and catchers take the field across Arizona and Florida, these two talented arms remain unsigned. Late-breaking deals in professional sports always come with high stakes, but baseball’s unique reliance on Spring Training adds another layer of complexity. Without the luxury of extended preparation time, pitchers miss out on crucial opportunities to mesh with a new team, putting their success—and the success of those who sign them—in jeopardy.

This situation isn’t just about individual careers. Could we be witnessing a turning point in the power struggle between agents and owners? Does the pressure of shortened preparation lead to new contract types? And what happens to a pitcher’s value if they don’t have that Spring Training spotlight to truly impress with?

The Challenge of Late Signings

Spring Training functionality extends far beyond getting pitchers into game shape. It’s during these weeks that the foundation is laid for the subtle, almost sixth-sense understanding between a pitcher and their catcher.

Learning to anticipate each other’s moves, syncing pitch selection, and even developing a ‘shorthand’ for communicating strategy—that requires time in the bullpen and behind the plate. This dynamic is something that even seasoned pitchers and catchers value and seek to refine.

Missing out on Spring Training also disrupts the process of integrating with a new team’s defensive philosophy. Every infield shifts with its own nuances, with outfielders learning to play the angles of a new ballpark, and even factors like lighting patterns or mound height playing a role in how a pitcher approaches a hitter.

For the still-unsigned free agents Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery, they would lose the opportunity to iron out these details in a relaxed setting, leaving them to make adjustments mid-season in the heat of the pennant race. And their superagent remains a powerful force, pulling strings from the shadows.

Scott Boras: The Ace Negotiator

Scott Boras is a titan in the world of baseball agents. The superagent’s aggressive approach to maximizing his clients’ contracts has brought him both praise and scrutiny. While waiting for the right deal is part of his strategy, the longer Snell and Montgomery wait, the more of a disadvantage they’ll face.

Boras walks a tightrope. If only he could identify a team in dire need—perhaps one plagued by injuries or a faltering rotation—he might secure a favorable contract for one or both the aces. However, the gamble is that, with each passing day, teams and owners might grow tired of the speculation and look for more certain options. Overplaying his hand could backfire, leaving his clients scrambling to find a team and accepting a potentially less-than-ideal deal just to get into the season.

Teams May Be Cooled Off

The reluctance directed at signing Blake Snell this season appears to be primarily fueled by his reported asking price (north of $200 million) as well as the anxieties surrounding a lack of Spring Training preparation time. Owners want assurance that a big investment will pay off, and that involves seeing a pitcher work with their new team. Paying top dollar for uncertainty is a tough sell, especially as the season approaches.

Furthermore, a sense of caution might now be surrounding Jordan Montgomery too, even if he commands a lower salary—he’s reportedly looking for a deal similar to Aaron Nola’s $172 million contract of 7 years, bringing his expected AAV down to $24.5 million, compared to Snell’s anticipated $30 million a year. With less time to build up both pitchers, Boras could find his negotiation power significantly diminished compared to what it might have been during the winter months.

Could Injury Concerns Further Hinder Deals?

Adding fuel to the fire, Jordan Montgomery is dealing with a setback in Spring Training, per market reports. Teams that were perhaps considering the risk of a late signing might become even more apprehensive.

Read More: MLB Rumors: Jordan Montgomery Sweepstakes Evolve, Rangers Face Setback Amidst Serious Red Sox Interest

Even if the injury turns out to be minor, it plants seeds of doubt about his immediate availability and durability. If a team desperately needs a healthy arm, they’ll likely turn to pitchers already in camp who can contribute right away. This could severely limit the number of interested parties for Montgomery.

Beyond the ‘will they, won’t they’ dance between pitchers and the free agency market, there are several other key factors to consider.

The Evolution of the Player-Agent Relationship

The Snell and Montgomery situation reveals a power struggle between agents, like Boras, and MLB owners alike. Here’s what might transpire in the coming years:

Owners Gaining Leverage: As data analysis and risk assessment become more sophisticated, owners might be less likely to splurge on players who haven’t first “proven” themselves for their new team. This could mean shorter contracts for late signings become a trend, even for star players.

Agents Adapting Their Strategies: Boras and other top agents will need to be more flexible in their negotiating tactics. They might explore contract clauses that protect their clients and ensure they get a fair chance even if they sign late, potentially tying salaries to performance metrics or giving players early exit options.

Rise of the Mid-Tier Free Agents: We might see more players in Montgomery’s position, solid but not superstars, becoming more valuable. They bring proven results but might command lower salaries, making them more attractive “plug-and-play” signings for teams hesitant to take big risks during a shortened preseason.

Read More: Dubbed Baseball’s ‘Most Hated Man’, Is Scott Boras an Unsung Hero of Players’ Rights?

Spring Training’s Changing Role: The importance of Spring Training as a player evaluation tool might diminish. Teams will be forced to rely more on analytics and scouting reports to assess players who hit the market late, further emphasizing the role of agents in presenting comprehensive player profiles. This free-agency period could set a powerful precedent for late-blooming success.

Turning Spring Training into a Showcase: Can They Pull It Off?

Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery might consider pursuing the same tactic as Cody Bellinger and Matt Chapman—shorter deals packed with opt-out clauses. This strategy allows them to ‘audition’ for a bigger contract next season, turning their shortened Spring Training into a high-pressure showcase. Of course, that gamble comes with a clear risk.

If they underperform this season, the pitchers could end up worse off financially in their next free-agency stint, potentially locking themselves into a low-ball offer instead of finding stability with a multi-year deal, now. For Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery, waiting this long is a calculated risk.

Read More: MLB Spring Training: Examining How March Outcomes Drives October Fate

Their talent is undeniable, but finding the perfect fit with limited preparation time ups the ante. Teams might be hesitant to invest heavily before seeing proof of seamless integration. This late in the game, everyone is watching—teams, fans, and especially Scott Boras, who has a reputation to uphold. The fate of this gamble hangs in the balance, with those impending negotiations looming as the deciding factor.