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Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Jordan Montgomery is reflecting on his disastrous free agency amid a highly disappointing season with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Montgomery was expected to be a $100 million pitcher last offseason and land a multiyear contract, but he remained unsigned well into spring training. He had to settle for a one-year, $25 million pact with Arizona that contains a vesting option for 2025.
This week, Montgomery admitted there had been other interest and that he had spoken to the Boston Red Sox during his free agency. Nothing came of it, an outcome that he firmly blamed on his former agent Scott Boras.
“I had a Zoom call with (the Red Sox), that’s really all I know. It went good,” Montgomery said, via Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald. “I don’t know, obviously Boras kind of butchered it, so I’m just trying to move on from the offseason and try to forget it.”
Montgomery was linked to the Red Sox frequently during free agency, but it sounds like Boras overplayed his hand. Montgomery was far from the only player who had that experience, as Blake Snell, Matt Chapman and Cody Bellinger also remained unsigned for much of the offseason before taking short-term deals. Montgomery even went as far as to fire Boras and get a new agent after the fiasco.
While the other three Boras free agents have salvaged their seasons, Montgomery’s has been a mess from start to finish, and he lost his job in the rotation on Friday.
More must-reads:
- World Series-winning starting pitcher getting moved to bullpen for first time in his career
- 'About as tough a decision I’ve had to make': Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo on decision to move Montgomery to the bullpen
- The 'MLB MVP vote-getters from the 2022 season' quiz
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Astros designate former first-round pick for assignment
The Astros have designated right-hander Shawn Dubin for assignment, according to Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. Righty AJ Blubaugh has been called up from Triple-A in the corresponding move (KPRC 2’s Ari Alexander reported earlier on Saturday that Blubaugh was on his way to the Astros’ active roster). Dubin is out of minor league options, so Houston had to go the DFA route in order to remove him from its active roster. Dubin doesn’t have the service time or the past outright necessary to reject an outright assignment to Triple-A, so chances are he’ll just remain in the Astros’ farm system if he clears waivers. A pitching-needy team might consider claiming Dubin off the waiver wire, though his out-of-options status will probably scare off a few clubs, plus his case for sticking on a big league roster isn’t helped by his brutal month of August. Dubin had a 1.33 ERA over his first 20 1/3 innings of 2025, even if that standout ERA wasn’t quite supported by his secondary metrics. A forearm strain sent him to the 15-day injured list near the end of June, however, and since returning on Aug. 12, Dubin simply hasn’t looked the same. He has been tormented for 13 earned runs over five appearances and 5 1/3 innings since being activated from the IL, inflating his ERA up to 5.61 over 25 2/3 total frames. A bout of shoulder inflammation during Spring Training already put Dubin on the IL to begin the season, and he then didn’t make his 2025 debut until May 11 since an ankle injury set back his recovery. Things seemed fine once he finally got onto the Astros’ mound, yet whether Dubin is just rusty or is still feeling some after-effects from his forearm issue, his recent performance has been too rough for Houston to ignore. Selected in the 13th round of the 2018 draft, Dubin has spent his entire career in Houston’s organization, debuting in the Show with seven innings during the 2023 season. He then had a 4.17 ERA over 45 1/3 innings in 2024, getting a couple of spot starts but primarily working out of the bullpen. Dubin battled control problems last year, but while his walk rate is vastly improved in 2025, his strikeout rate has dropped (from 23.7% to 18.9%). The Astros’ bullpen has been strong for most of 2025, but the relief corps has hit some major roadblocks beyond just Dubin’s struggles. Star closer Josh Hader will miss at least the rest of the regular season due to a capsule sprain, and southpaw Bennett Sousa (already on the 15-day IL) is now also a question mark, as he’ll be shut down for the next two weeks while dealing with a flexor/pronator strain. Blubaugh is a rookie who has only nine MLB innings on his resume, but he’ll at least be a short-term fresh arm to act as a long man in the pen.
Commanders flaw exposed in blowout preseason loss to Ravens
The Washington Commanders have a potentially significant problem on special teams. During Saturday's 30-3 preseason Week 3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, kicker Matt Gay missed a 53-yard field goal wide left at the end of Washington's first offensive possession. Gay finished the preseason 3-of-5 on field goal attempts. He also missed a 49-yarder wide left in preseason Week 1 against the New England Patriots. Gay's struggles continue the chaotic journey for the Commanders at kicker. Last season's Week 1 starter, Cade York, went 0-of-2 in the opener and was promptly released. His replacement, Austin Seibert, was in the midst of a fantastic season through Week 9, going 25-of-27 on field goals and 22-of-22 on extra points before missing two weeks with a hip injury. He was later placed on injured reserve after missing three kicks in a loss to the Dallas Cowboys, including a would-be tying extra point following a wild 86-yard touchdown with under a minute remaining. Zane Gonzalez and Greg Joseph combined to go 7-of-10 on field goals the rest of the season, including each missing a 50-yard attempt. Overall, Commanders kickers struggled from long distance, with the four combining to go 2-of-8 on attempts of 50 yards or more. Only the Philadelphia Eagles had a worse percentage (14.3%) on attempts of at least 50 yards, per Pro Football Reference data. Washington signed Gay to a one-year, $4.25M fully guaranteed contract in late April following the 2025 NFL Draft. Per CBS Sports, it's the largest guaranteed contract for a kicker on a one-year deal in NFL history. Last season while with the Indianapolis Colts, Gay was 3-of-9 on 50-yard field goals. The Commanders have the talent on offense to be one of the league's top scoring units, so they might not need to convert many tries from over 50 yards. Still, having a kicker who can reliably hit from that distance is an undeniable asset, particularly late in close games or on possessions that stall after crossing midfield. Washington largely has a roster capable of contending for a Super Bowl. But following its final tune-up before the regular season, kicking is a notable flaw.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Has Made Decision On His Bucks Future
MILWAUKEE, WI — Giannis Antetokounmpo will remain in Milwaukee. Reliable NBA insider AryReport reported that, according to his sources, the two-time MVP has decided not to request a trade. After several meetings with his inner circle, he reaffirmed his desire to stay with the Bucks. The decision settles months of speculation about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future on the Bucks. Rivals have been watching closely, sensing uncertainty in Milwaukee. Yet for now, the franchise cornerstone wants to finish his career where it began. SOURCES: Giannis Antetokounmpo Has Made Decision On His Bucks Future A Mixed Track Record Since winning the 2021 title, Milwaukee has struggled in the postseason. They have won only one playoff series in four years. The lack of deep runs put pressure squarely on GM Jon Horst and the front office. Giannis wants to win. His patience has limits. The Bucks’ leadership responded with a flurry of moves this offseason. They reshaped the roster while making a difficult financial call on Damian Lillard. The Lillard Decision The Bucks stunned the league when they waived Lillard. The move left $112.5 million in dead money over five years. It also freed Milwaukee to move below tax aprons and gain flexibility. Lillard, recovering from a torn Achilles, embraced the decision. He returned to Portland in free agency, prioritizing family and comfort. For the Bucks, the parting opened space to pursue new pieces. Turner Arrives, Others Depart The headline signing was Myles Turner. The big man joined on a four-year, $108.8 million deal after leaving Indiana. His rim protection and three-point shooting fill a glaring need. Still, the cost was real. Brook Lopez, a 2021 champion, departed for the Clippers. Pat Connaughton left in a salary dump. Bobby Portis, Gary Trent Jr., and Taurean Prince re-signed, but the roster feels transformed. Turner’s arrival raises a question: does he lift the Bucks enough? He is younger than Lopez and more versatile. Yet Milwaukee’s slide in the East was not just about talent, but cohesion and consistency. What’s Next for Giannis Antetokounmpo on the Bucks Giannis has chosen stability over speculation. According to league sources, he will remain in Milwaukee, valuing continuity and family comfort above chasing another ring elsewhere. Having seen firsthand how a superstar’s ring chase unraveled, he understands the grass is not always greener. For Giannis, the Bucks still represent home, legacy, and the clearest path to fulfillment.
Buccaneers' Shilo Sanders may have jeopardized chance to make 53-man roster
Saturday was not a good day for Shedeur Sanders and Shilo Sanders, two players competing for a spot on the 53-man roster of their respective teams, the Cleveland Browns and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hours after Shedeur took more sacks (five) than completions (three) and had a heated moment with Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, Shilo was ejected from the Buccaneers' preseason game against the Buffalo Bills. "Bucs S Shilo Sanders has been ejected from tonight's game following an unnecessary roughness penalty," Scott Smith of the Buccaneers posted on X. Shilo appeared to take exception to Zach Davidson hitting and blocking him after a play had ended before the rookie took a swing at the Bills' tight end. The ejection came at a bad time for Shilo, who was competing with Kaevon Merriweather and Rashad Wisdom for the No. 4 safety spot on the depth chart. Before the game, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that Shilo's output against the Bills would be big in his evaluation before the team has to trim the roster to 53 players by Tuesday. "Shilo's very aggressive, very young, very hungry," Bowles said. "He can make plays in the box and we know he can run down and give us 100% on special teams, so this last week is going to be very important for those guys to show up." Following the ejection, Shilo lost critical playing time to show his strengths on the field. He also showed the coaching staff a short temper and cost Tampa Bay with an unnecessary penalty. Shilo will end his preseason with four total tackles. He has shown he has the talent to be in the league, but Shilo's role will likely be as a practice squad player until his play and mental strength develop.
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