Free Agent Ace Reportedly Is Seeking Deal In Red Sox's Preferred Contract Length

The Boston Red Sox have been quite frugal despite conflicting messaging from ownership and back-to-back last-place finishes in the American League East.

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow appeared to believe the team would have no shortage of resources during his introductory press conference -- but there have been dramatic budgetary constraints in place all winter.

One of the bigger hold-ups with priority owner John Henry is his disdain for giving long-term contracts to pitchers. Fortunately, the market has been so slow that the top two hurlers remaining -- Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery -- likely will have to settle for shorter-term deals and test the market again after an opt-out in future years.

One of the aforementioned duo reportedly would be open to said concept.

"Snell via his camp is believed to have recently suggested a willingness to be flexible and listen to short-term offers with opt-outs, much like the deal star outfielder Cody Bellinger made to return to the Cubs," the New York Post's Jon Heyman wrote Tuesday.

Heyman continued his messaging while speaking on a Bleacher Report livestream Wednesday afternoon.

"Snell's trying to do that bridge deal -- the three-year deal, I think he'd certainly want the opt-out after the first year as Bellinger has," Heyman said.

The reigning National League Cy Young winner would be a massive upgrade to the Red Sox's pitching staff and his willingness to accept a shorter-term commitment increases Boston's odds of agreeing to a deal. 

Unfortunately, many barriers remain and Snell should still be deemed a distant longshot. To convince Snell to take a bridge contract, he'd expect a large commitment in terms of average annual value.

Breslow likely does not have $30 million or so in the Henry-imposed budget even if they are able to shed closer Kenley Jansen's $16 million contract. The biggest issue facing this potential partnership is the qualifying offer attached to Snell. 

Breslow has been abundantly clear that the Red Sox are not in a position to trade future wins for current wins. Giving up a notable pick in the next Major League Baseball Draft qualifies as such.

Instead, it's much more likely that the Red Sox do what they can to acquire Montgomery -- who is facing the same realities in free agency as Snell but will command less money and does not have draft compensation attached to him.

Whether Breslow makes any move to improve the rotation remains to be seen but Snell should not be the one fans are focused on, as that appears to be a pipe dream at this juncture.