• Loading stock data...
Thursday, November 21, 2024

Jordan Montgomery Opts In With D-Backs After Owner Called Him ‘Our Biggest Mistake’

  • Montgomery’s 2024 earned run average was nearly double from the previous season.
  • Team owner Ken Kendrick took blame for the signing in unusually blunt comments.
Diamondbacks pitcher Jordan Montgomery
Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Ken Kendrick’s comments weren’t enough to deter Jordan Montgomery from taking his money. 

The Diamondbacks pitcher exercised his $22.5 million player option for the 2025 season, according to MLB.com. For now, Montgomery is under contract for a second season in Arizona after a rough first year in the desert that had the team owner blaming himself for the signing. 

Montgomery went 8–7 in 2024 with a 6.23 earned run average a year after emerging as a strong trade deadline acquisition for the 2023 World Series champion Rangers. After beating the Diamondbacks in the World Series, Montgomery joined them on a one-year deal for $25 million with a player option for 2025. The 2025 contract vested at $20 million after Montgomery’s 10th start with Arizona, and it increased to $22.5 million with his 18th start. He made 21 starts in total before getting demoted to the bullpen in August. (One more start would have bumped the option to $25 million.) The Diamondbacks had a late surge to finish 89–73 and were eliminated from playoff contention by the Mets and Braves on the final day of the regular season.

On Oct. 1, Kendrick gave a mea culpa on local radio for the signing. 

“If anyone wants to blame anyone for Jordan Montgomery being a Diamondback, you’re talking to the guy that should be blamed,” Kendrick told Arizona Sports. “Because I brought it to their attention. I pushed for it. They agreed to it—it wasn’t in our game plan. You know when he was signed—right at the end of spring training. And looking back, in hindsight, a horrible decision to invest that money in a guy who performed as poorly as he did. It’s our biggest mistake this season from a talent standpoint. And I’m the perpetrator of that.”

Despite coming off a strong 2023, Montgomery was one of the last free-agent pitchers to sign, as Kendrick alluded. He agreed to the Diamondbacks deal on March 26, just two days before Opening Day. The extended free agency led Montgomery to fire his agent, Scott Boras, whom the pitcher said “kind of butchered” negotiations for his services last winter. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Roki Sasaki Pursuit Could Lead to Chaos in 2025 International Class

Big league clubs may redirect bonus pool money to chase the Japanese phenom.

NBA Legend Hubie Brown Stepping Away From ESPN at 91

Brown has been associated with the league for over 50 years.
Sep 29, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis acknowledges a fan before the start of a game between the Raiders and the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.

Mark Davis to Unload More of the Raiders

He’s agreed to give 15% to new owners, shortly after the Brady sale.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Who Can Actually Afford Juan Soto?

0:00

Featured Today

Nov 18, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Williams Racing driver Logan Sargeant of the United States (2) during the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Strip Circuit.

F1 Grand Prix Upended Vegas Last Year. Stakes Are High for Its..

Stakes are high as F1 gears up for a successful second act.
Classic Football Shirts New York Pop-Up
November 18, 2024

Vintage Soccer Jerseys Have Found a Sweet Spot in the Lucrative U.S...

The money-making shirts are at the prime intersection of memorabilia and fashion.
Nov 13, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) reacts after fouling Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (not pictured) during the second half at Madison Square Garden.
opinion
November 16, 2024

NBA Ratings Rorschach Test: Buy the Dip

Was it the election? Too many threes? Lack of storylines?
November 15, 2024

Executive Decision: When Richard Nixon Named a College Football Champion

In 1969, the 37th president unilaterally named the winner of the season.
Michele Kang

The Wealthy Booster Spending Millions to Turn U.S. Soccer European

Michele Kang says NWSL expansion requires more coaches and refs.
Nov 3, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) is sacked during an extra point attempt by Washington Commanders defensive end Dorance Armstrong (92) during the second half at MetLife Stadium.
November 18, 2024

Giants Hit Rock Bottom, Demote QB Daniel Jones With $23 Million Injury..

Jones signed a four-year, $160 million contract extension in March 2023.
May 27, 2024; Paris, France; Rafael Nadal of Spain waves goodbye after his match against Alexander Zverev of Germany on day two of Roland Garros at Stade Roland Garros.
November 19, 2024

Rafael Nadal Bids Farewell to Tennis at Davis Cup

Nadal surpassed the $135 million mark in career earnings.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Bronny James
November 13, 2024

Bronny James Won’t Play G League Road Games

G League players travel on commercial airlines.
Despondent Giants quarterback Daniel Jones.
November 12, 2024

The $23 Million Reason a Daniel Jones Benching Is Looming

Injury guarantees have come into play for several quarterbacks in recent years.
Nick Bosa
November 12, 2024

NFL Waited for Trump Win to Fine Nick Bosa for MAGA Hat

The league usually issues such fines quickly, but waited weeks for Bosa.
November 10, 2024

Why 23-Year-Old Phenom Roki Sasaki Will Be MLB’s Biggest Bargain

The star pitcher’s youth and talent make him highly coveted by all 30 teams.