You seriously think they wouldn’t go over the cap for one year? Pay a few extra million for one year? To not sign Montgomery?
What makes more sense.
A.) Sox won’t sign Montgomery because they are unwilling to commit the contract he will command, and because they’re weary of long term contracts to aging pitchers? (Spoiler alert. Huge precedent here)
Or
B.) they have a set budget and will not go over it because the Red Sox do not go past the luxury tax limit.
Sox have said they would go over. (Spoiler alert. Also precedent for this)
Before you continue reading take note there’s zero precedent for B. Because they have a history of going over the luxury tax and setting themselves up to reset, which they’re in. They had a budget all those years too, every team has a budget, you think those budgets are 100% set in stone? That’s absurd. They’re in the same financial boat in 2025 even if the Braves took 100% of the contract. Also worth nothing, there’s IS clear precedent for A. In action and in statement. They haven’t signed big pitchers and still gone past the cap.
The budget isn’t just about one year, it’s about year over year. That’s why they sign guys to short term contracts and shy away from long term. It’s why team look to reset, going over the cap is 100% inconsequential to a team like Boston when they have the ability to reset the next year. Even the freaking Dodgers are setting themselves up to get below thresholds. Yes, even they care about AAV. It’s not just total money, it’s the years. Sox literally blew past the cap just two years ago, and had the highest payroll in baseball a few before that.
Of course they have a budget, but $17 million for one year isn’t stopping them from offering whatever they think is fair to Snell or Montgomery. That’s literally got to be one of the most irrational I’ve heard on here all year.
I don’t believe the Sox will make those moves, because in a vacuum they don’t want to spend the money on those guys. If 200/8 gets you Snell, the Sox aren’t offering that WITH OR WITHOUT Sales $17 million. They’re cheap with long term deals, they don’t give a rats ass about going over the cap for one years. Why can’t you see that? I feel like this is obvious to 99.99% of the baseball world.
If the Sox don’t sign another starting pitcher it’s 100% because they’re cheap *******s and 100% nothing to do with how much money they got Atlanta to eat. If you can’t understand that then just give up. Don’t pass go. Don’t collect $200
No team has a budget that is 100% set in stone. Some are more flexible than others, if according to you I’m the only one in here then I’ll be proud to have good financial prowess compared to others. Teams will go under/over their budgets for the right circumstances. If the Boston Red Sox for example COULD Snell for 200/8, they would do it. They wouldn’t walk away from that deal because they have to pay Chris Sale $17 for ONE YEAR. That’s just ridiculous