As anticipated, left-handed pitcher Jordan Montgomery exercised his $22.5 million player option to remain with the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to MLB.com.
A free agent after the 2023 season, Montgomery remained unsigned past the start of spring training but at the end of March, the Diamondbacks signed him to a one-year, $25 million deal with a player option for 2025.
When Montgomery signed the shorter-term deal with the aid of his then-agent Scott Boras, instead of the long-term contract he was initially hoping for, the thinking was that Montgomery would earn a long-term deal by proving his value over the course of the season.
However, the 31-year-old had a tough season, going 8-7 with a 6.23 ERA across 25 games (21 starts). He struck out just 83 batters while walking 44 in 117 innings. He also earned his first career save in September.
After the Diamondbacks were eliminated from playoff contention, Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick said in a radio appearance that he made a “horrible decision” to pursue Montgomery last spring.
“Let me say it the best way I can say it: If anyone wants to blame anyone for Jordan Montgomery being a Diamondback, you’re talking to the guy that should be blamed because I brought it to their attention,” Kendrick said on “Burns & Gambo.”
“I pushed for it. They agreed to it. It wasn’t in our game plan when he was signed right at the end of spring training, and looking back in hindsight, (it was) a horrible decision to have invested that money in a guy that performed as poorly as he did. It’s our biggest mistake this season from a talent standpoint, and I’m the perpetrator of that.”
Later, Arizona general manager Mike Hazen said the ultimate decision to sign Montgomery was his.
“That was a group process, and I understand why we made that decision at the time, and I believe that Jordan Montgomery will have a better year next year,” Hazen said, according to MLB.com. “It didn’t work out, but I also think next year is going to look a lot different.”
Montgomery is expected to compete with veterans Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly and Eduardo Rodriguez, along with younger pitchers Brandon Pfaadt and Ryne Nelson.
A longtime member of the New York Yankees, Montgomery split the 2023 season between the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers and pitched to a 3.20 ERA. He made five starts and one relief appearance for Texas in the playoffs on its run to the World Series title.
Since making the big leagues in 2017, he has career marks of 46-41 with a 4.03 ERA in 166 games (161 starts).
–Field Level Media