With just two days remaining for the regular Opening Day, former New York Yankees pitcher Jordan Montgomery finally has a new home. As per reports, he has agreed to join the Arizona Diamondbacks on a one-year, $25 million deal.
Jordan Montgomery was another one of the big clients of super-agent Scott Boras who had become a free agent. The pitcher now joins a team against whom his last appearance from the mound came in the 2023 season. Montgomery was part of the 2023 Texas Rangers’ team that defeated the D-Backs in the World Series to claim their maiden title.
This deal comes as a surprise to many. Prior to his signing, there had been several reports linking him back to the Yankees . He was also reported to be drawing interest from the Boston Red Sox but the team were unwilling to meet his asking price.
This allowed the Diamondbacks to sweep him. The one-year deal contains a vesting option, which could see him extend his stay in Arizona for another year.
As per reports from Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, if Montgomery makes ten starts this season, his contract for 2025 will vest up to $20 million. Eighteen starts would see this value go up to $22.5 and twenty-three starts or more will see his figures reach $25 million again. He can also opt out of the deal for the 2025 season if he makes ten starts this campaign.
How the Arizona Diamondbacks pitching rotation could look following the acquisition of Jordan Montgomery?
After coming up short at the final hurdle last season, the Arizona Diamondbacks are hoping to do one better this time out and have acquired some big names to help them achieve that. They have now picked up Jordan Montgomery which has strengthen their pitching department. So how does the pitching rotation of the team look now?
The pitching duo of Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly are going to be the 1-2 pitchers this season again. Gallen will take up the role of team’s “ace” while Kelly will provide him a strong balance in the number two role.
Coach Torey Lovullo had previously announced that free agent signing Eduardo Rodriguez would be the number three pitcher. However, with an injury to him that has landed him on the injured list (IL), Montgomery could sweep in here and take this spot. On the other hand youngsters like Tommy Henry , Brandon Pfaadt , and Ryne Nelson could fill in the roles of starting pitcher too.
Nonetheless, the Diamondbacks have made a strong statement to their NL West rivals with their offseason activities and are eager to prove that what happened last year was no fluke. They will get their season started with a four-game homestand against the Colorado Rockies.
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