<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4a6LsM_0wKYnggg00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4a6LsM_0wKYnggg00" width="1203" height="802" ></figure>Jordan Montgomery entered the 2024 season with high expectations after signing a one-year, $25 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, but it turned out to be a season he’d likely want to forget. Coming off a World Series victory with the Texas Rangers and being one of the most highly sought-after free agents, the left-hander’s stock plummeted as he struggled throughout the year.Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe! Montgomery’s troubles started before the season even began. After turning down a four-year offer from the Boston Red Sox, he found himself without a team well into March, ultimately agreeing to a last-minute deal with Arizona. This decision, which Montgomery attributed to mismanagement by his former agent, Scott Boras, would set the tone for a challenging year.The deal included a $22.5 million player option for 2025, but as the season unfolded, it became increasingly clear that Montgomery would not live up to the expectations tied to his contract. Over 21 starts, the 31-year-old posted a 6.23 ERA, the worst of his career, and was eventually demoted to the bullpen. His performance was a far cry from his impressive 2023 campaign, where he posted a 3.20 ERA, leading the Rangers to a championship.Montgomery’s struggles didn’t go unnoticed by Diamondbacks management. In a candid interview on the Burns &amp; Gambo Show, team owner Ken Kendrick took full responsibility for Montgomery’s signing, calling it the “biggest mistake” of the season. “If anyone wants to blame anyone for Jordan Montgomery being a Diamondback, you’re talking to the guy that should be blamed,” Kendrick said. The owner’s remarks further fueled speculation that Montgomery’s time in Arizona may be coming to an end.The lefty’s disappointing season reached a critical point when he expressed frustration with Boras, accusing him of botching negotiations that could have secured a more lucrative deal elsewhere. Speaking to the Boston Herald ahead of a series against the Red Sox, Montgomery reflected on the mishandled offseason, lamenting that Boras had “butchered” his chances for a better contract.With the off-field distractions, Montgomery’s on-field performance remained underwhelming. His 6.23 ERA and career-low 6.4 strikeouts per nine innings placed a significant burden on Arizona’s rotation, which had been expected to compete in the postseason. Montgomery’s struggles, combined with injuries to key pitchers like Merrill Kelly and Eduardo Rodriguez, left the Diamondbacks with one of the worst team ERAs in baseball. Although they had hoped Montgomery would help lead them to October, he instead became a liability.While Ken Kendrick has made his stance clear, the decision ultimately lies with Jordan Montgomery—and his options this offseason are limited. As The Athletic’s Jim Bowden noted, “Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick publicly said he hopes Montgomery doesn’t exercise his player option, but the lefty has little choice as no team would offer him a similar contract in free agency this offseason.”Bowden predicts that Montgomery will likely exercise his $22.5 million player option, prompting the Diamondbacks to explore trade possibilities</div></body>

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Jim Bowden predicts Jordan Montgomery will exercise his player option

Jordan Montgomery entered the 2024 season with high expectations after signing a one-year, $25 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, but it turned out to be a season he’d likely want to forget. Coming off a World Series victory with the Texas Rangers and being one of the most highly sought-after free agents, the left-hander’s stock plummeted as he struggled throughout the year.