Free agent left-hander Jordan Montgomery signs with NL West team
The Jordan Montgomery free agent saga has finally come to an end. The left-handed starter is signing with the National League champion Arizona Diamondbacks on a one-year, $25 million deal, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan. His deal includes a $25 million vesting option for next season if he makes 10 starts.
Montgomery can also opt out of his deal if he makes 10 starts this season, per the New York Post’s Jon Heyman. His 2025 salary vests at $20 million with those 10 starts in 2024; it jumps to $22.5 million with 18 starts and $25 million with 23 starts.
The 31-year-old started 32 games this past season while compiling a combined 10-11 record with a 3.20 ERA in 188.2 innings for the Cardinals and Rangers.
Montgomery tossed 31 innings last postseason as he helped guide the Rangers to a World Series championship.
The southpaw was connected to the Red Sox all offseason, but Boston never seemed to be in serious pursuit of the lefty. Boston held a Zoom call in February with Montgomery, but nothing came out of that.
Boston seems focused on their younger arms and will roll into 2024 with Brayan Bello, Nick Pivetta, Kutter Crawford, Tanner Houck, and Garrett Whitlock in their rotation.
The seven-year veteran has a career 38-34 record with a 3.68 ERA and 705 strikeouts in 755 innings pitched after being drafted by the Yankees in the fourth round of the 2014 draft.
