MLB Insider’s Perspective Possibility of Red Sox Signing Remaining Free Agents

Red Sox spring training is underway this week, and they are among multiple MLB teams still open to making a roster move.

Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery remain unsigned as spring training begins. There’s been little to suggest why the pitchers haven’t been snatched up by a team yet, but it means Boston still is in contention to upgrade its pitching staff.

The Athletic’s Jim Bowden took a look at the free agent market and determined which teams make the best fit for each player.

“Montgomery’s first choice is believed to be a return to the Rangers, but the club and his agent, Scott Boras, have been far apart in negotiations,” Bowden wrote Tuesday.

The MLB insider added that the Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants and New York Yankees were “engaged” in talks and would be possible destinations if Montgomery doesn’t re-sign with the reigning World Series champions. The Philadelphia Phillies also have been linked to the left-hander who had a 3.20 ERA and 3.56 FIP in 188 2/3 innings last season.

Bowden also viewed Mike Clevinger as a “solid fit” for the Red Sox along with the Washington Nationals, Pittsburgh Pirates and Colorado Rockies. The right-hander posted a 3.77 ERA and 4.28 FIP in 131 1/3 innings with the Chicago White Sox last season. Boston always can use someone who can eat up innings, and Clevinger would fit that bill when healthy.

Manager Alex Cora and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow expressed optimism about the club’s pitching staff, but an upgrade could be viewed as necessary to help the Red Sox bounce back from back-to-back last-place finishes in the American League East.

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Alex Cora’s press conference might have telegraphed important Red Sox information

The Boston Red Sox organization and reporters are filtering down to Florida to begin spring training. On Feb. 13, one day before the pitchers and catchers report date, manager Alex Cora addressed the media in a press conference.

As Cora spoke, bats cracked and gloves popped in the distance. But the feeling of baseball being back can’t shake the dark cloud that looms over the current Red Sox team — a squad that had every chance to be better than it is but is weighed down by poor decision making.

Cora fielded questions from reporters about his future with the team and how the lineup is going to look. Some of his answers provided clarity, others offered more questions.

The skipper answered a few questions about his contract, which expires at the end of the season. Besides saying that he “didn’t want to talk about” a potential return next year, Cora revealed that last season “took a toll” on him, both mentally and physically. However, he said over and over that his family loves being in Boston. His answers offered no clarity about whether or not Red Sox fans should expect to see him in Boston’s dugout next year, though.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora’s press conference raised more questions than fans would like

He did, however, confirm that he likely won’t be in the dugout 10 years from now. Cora said he doesn’t see himself as a “Tito or Tony” and that he has no plans to manage for the rest of his baseball career due to the sheer work and weight of the role.