Jordan Montgomery agrees to deal with Arizona Diamondbacks

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champion-at-last-jordan-montgomery-becomes-latest-former-gamecock-to-win-world-series — Oct 28, 2023; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery (52) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks in game two of the 2023 World Series at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Just two days before Opening Day, Jordan Montgomery has found a landing spot after spending nearly four months as a free agent.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Montgomery has agreed to a deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. A physical still needs to be conducted but if/when Montgomery passes, he will be heading to the desert to continue his career.

“BREAKING: Left-handed starter Jordan Montgomery and the Arizona Diamondbacks are in agreement on a free agent deal, pending physical, a source tells ESPN,” Passan said via X.

Contract details have since broken, with The Athletic‘s Ken Rosenthal reporting Montgomery will make $25 million during the 2024 season with a vesting option for 2025 worth up to $25 million. To earn the extra year on his deal, the left-handed pitcher must make at least 10 starts this upcoming season.

However, even if he hits the 10-start minimum, Montgomery does have the option to opt out and test the free-agent waters next winter.

Montgomery made 32 starts last season between the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers. He finished with a career-best 3.20 ERA over 188.2 innings pitched. His 7.5 K/9 was among one of the best in all of baseball as well, striking out a best-ever 166 batters and walking just 67.

Arizona will throw their newly signed man into an already stacked rotation, headlined by Zac Gallen. Merrill Kelly and Brandon Pfaadt behind Gallen already made up for a nice top three. But now adding Montgomery — plus the earlier addition of Eduardo Rodriguez — into the mix gives the Diamondbacks as good of a rotation as anyone out there.

Jordan Montgomery switching dugouts from last year’s World Series

Arizona is fresh off a pennant, winning in the NLCS for the first time since 2001. Finishing 84-78 and in second place in the NL West earned the Diamondback the final Wild Card spot by one game before going on a magical postseason run.

Ironically, Montgomery was on the other side and dashed the franchise’s dreams of winning a World Series to secure a ring of his own. He was traded to the Texas Rangers near the deadline and instantly became one of two starting pitchers to carry them through the playoffs.

Although Montgomery did struggle in Game 2 of the World Series vs. Arizona — going six innings but allowing four runs on nine hits, one walk, and no strikeouts — he came up clutch for Texas while fighting through the AL side of the bracket.