Report: Diamondbacks’ Surprise Move, is Jordan Montgomery on the Trading Block?

PHOENIX – The Arizona Diamondbacks currently have seven starting-caliber pitchers on its staff and after the signing of Corbin Burnes, the question arises as to who’s getting traded or moved to the bullpen?

Here’s the current 2025 rotation lineup: Burnes, Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguez, Brandon Pfaadt, Ryne Nelson, and Jordan Montgomery. With this wealth of talent, it’s likely that two pitchers will either be traded or relegated to reliever roles soon.

Per Buster Olney of ESPN, he wrote in an MLB trade rumor article that teams around the league believe that the Diamondbacks are looking to trade Montgomery.

“There is an assumption among other teams that Jordan Montgomery and [New York Yankees pitcher] Marcus Stroman will move at some point, but there are execs who believe that won’t happen until the Diamondbacks and Yankees agree to swallow a lot of money to make a deal happen,” Olney said in the article.

Even though there is no guarantee that Montgomery will be dealt, the prospect of a trade happening involving him will make the situation around the Diamondbacks’ rotation more clearer. The most logical scenario to happen would be that Montgomery either stays in Arizona or is traded and Nelson becomes a long reliever in the bullpen.

Picking up his player option, Montgomery is owed $22.5 million this year after a season where he significantly struggled.

After winning the 2023 World Series with the Texas Rangers, he signed with the D-backs and posted an 8-7 record, 6.23 ERA, 83 strikeouts and 44 walks in 117.0 innings. The eight-year veteran allowed 149 hits, 81 earned runs and 14 homers.

Performing far below expectations, Montgomery was criticized by team owner Ken Kendrick when he stated it was a “horrible decision” to sign him after missing the playoffs.

With his future in Arizona up in the air, time will tell if Montgomery will remain a Diamondback on Opening Day or if he will join another team in the next few months.

When information surrounding this situation breaks, stay up-to-date with Burn City Sports.