PORT ST. LUCIE: I am aware of the Mets’ present strategy. I support attempting to win today, but not at the expense of rosters or salary issues down the road. But I also believe that approach can work with Jordan Montgomery signed.

Indeed, I contend that Montgomery’s signing can improve that strategy.

Now, during a phone call on Tuesday, Montgomery’s agent, Scott Boras, failed to assist me with two things that I am unsure about completely:

1. Is Montgomery open to joining the Mets as a player?

Boras represents the four best free agents who had remained available into spring training. One, Cody Bellinger, blinked and signed a three-year, $80 million pact to return to the Cubs. That is far less than Boras/Bellinger were seeking in total. So, in exchange Bellinger received the ability to opt out after both the 2024 and 2025 seasons to potentially pursue long-term big dollars again.

Is this a harbinger of what Boras is willing to do with his other main free-agent clients — Montgomery, Matt Chapman and Blake Snell? Again, he would not reveal his strategy. But it seems far more likely that Snell will go the Bellinger multi-opt-out/short-term-deal route than Montgomery.

It is believed Montgomery wanted to be compared financially to Aaron Nola (seven years, $172 million) while the industry was more thinking Eduardo Rodriguez (four years, $80 million). The Mets are definitely monitoring whether Montgomery’s ask falls — $150 million, $140 million, $130 million … but there is probably a number before the Mets’ comfort level that another team steps in such as the Red Sox or Giants, who are still strongly considering Snell.