The Arizona Diamondbacks are willing to eat some of Jordan Montgomery’s $22.5 million contract as they look to trade the veteran this winter, according to ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan.
Passan called Montgomery one of the likeliest players to be moved this offseason after his disappointing 2024. Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro has mentioned the likelihood Arizona deals Montgomery, as well.
D-backs general manager Mike Hazen joined Arizona Sports’ Wolf & Luke on Tuesday, and he said there remains a possibility Montgomery starts games for the Diamondbacks in 2025.
“There’s a lot of speculation and rumors that are out there on a lot of our guys right now,” Hazen said. “We have been hit on almost our entire rotation in various trade talks. That is not something that is a secret. I’m not gonna try to hide that it is. It happens a lot, happens almost every year and it’s happening now. Especially when we’ve said we’re open to listening on that area of our team.”
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Diamondbacks are reportedly willing to eat some of starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery’s contract and aiming to trade him.@Wolfandluke asked D-backs GM Mike Hazen about that and if there’s a chance Montgomery is on the team next season.… pic.twitter.com/SRU6atMLtl
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) November 12, 2024
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Montgomery picked up his player option for 2025 after signing a one-year, $25 million contract with the Diamondbacks right after Opening Day this past season.
The left-hander moved on from agent Scott Boras after failing to land a long-term deal and waiting until spring training had ended to sign. He never found a rhythm on the mound for a Diamondbacks team that desperately needed competence in the starting rotation given a slew of pitching injuries. Montgomery called 2024 his most difficult season at one point and lost his spot in the starting five when Eduardo Rodríguez and Merrill Kelly returned from injuries.
Montgomery finished with a 6.23 ERA in 117 innings pitched, a dramatic uptick from his 3.20 ERA in 2023.
Managing partner Ken Kendrick let his frustration be known after the season by taking responsibility for the “horrible decision” to sign Montgomery, and Hazen told reporters at the GM meetings in San Antonio last week he and the pitcher have spoken to address Kendrick’s criticism.
Hazen has been open saying he expects a better version on Montgomery next season.
The Diamondbacks enter the winter with the starting rotation a position of strength. It is six players deep: Zac Gallen, Kelly, Rodriguez, Brandon Pfaadt, Ryne Nelson and Montgomery. Yilber Diaz, Cristian Mena, Slade Cecconi, Tommy Henry and Blake Walston represent young depth.
Notably, Gallen, Kelly and Montgomery will all enter free agency next offseason.
The question for Montgomery becomes what could the Diamondbacks feasibly receive for a pitcher who struggled so mightily, considering the club has needs in the bullpen and starting lineup.
How much of his contract the D-backs absorb will likely play a factor, as will the willingness of other teams to look at Montgomery’s pedigree as a risk worth taking a shot on.