The early portents of the Guardians' willingness to spend to sign a free agent pitcher and the prices if they should choose to do so aren't great.
First, Frankie Montas signed with the Mets for 2 years and $34 million with a player option for a third year. Look, that's not my money so I'm happy Montas got paid. But he had an FIP of 4.71 last season. I know the Reds raved over his leadership, but this is a number five starter. Paying $17 million a year for him seems insane to me ($6 million more in average annual value than predicted by MLB Trade Rumors), and doesn't bode well for starting pitcher prices this offseason.