World Series champion left-handed pitcher Jordan Montgomery has agreed to a one-year, $25 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports.
The contract comes with a vesting option for a second year at $25 million should Montgomery start 10 games for the Diamondbacks this season.
According to USA Today‘s Bob Nightengale, Montgomery will be guaranteed $20 million in 2025 if he makes 10 starts this year, with an additional $2.5 million if he makes 18 starts and another $2.5 million if he makes 23 starts.
Nightengale added that Montgomery is also able to opt out of his contract after this season if his contract vests after making the 10 starts in 2024.
Montgomery emerged as one of the top available pitchers over the course of the 2023 season, which he split between the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers. He logged 188.2 innings over 32 starts between the two teams, posting a 3.20 ERA. He also struck out 166 hitters while walking just 48.
The 30-year-old played a major role in the Rangers’ run to the World Series, making six appearances and allowing just 10 runs over 31.0 innings — good for a 2.90 ERA.
Originally a fourth-round pick of the New York Yankees, Montgomery has been dealt at back-to-back trade deadlines. The Yankees sent him to St. Louis in a one-for-one deal for Harrison Bader in 2022, before the Cardinals got two minor leagues and John King for him this year.
The six-foot-six southpaw out of the University of South Carolina has pitched in the majors for seven seasons and owns a career 38-34 record with a 3.68 ERA and 705 strikeouts over 755 innings.
