The 2024 season has not gone the way Jordan Montgomery envisioned after entering the offseason as one of the most highly sought-after free agents. Reflecting on his choices, Montgomery has openly acknowledged that his former agent, Scott Boras, influenced many of his offseason decisions, ultimately leading to a last-minute $25 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks just before the season kicked off.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!There were high hopes for the tall lefty heading into the 2024 season, especially after he helped lead the Texas Rangers to a World Series championship. Similar to the expectations for other Boras clients, such as Matt Chapman, Cody Bellinger, and Blake Snell, many believed that Montgomery would secure a long-term deal with a postseason-caliber team. However, this was not the case, as the veteran did not sign with a team until late March and ended up with a short-term deal in Arizona—nowhere near the nine-figure contract he had once imagined.
The disappointment didn’t stop there. Montgomery’s 2024 performance has been a far cry from his success last year. Over 21 starts, the left-hander has posted a bloated 6.23 ERA, which ultimately led Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo to demote him to the bullpen for an extended stretch. This is a stark contrast to Montgomery’s 2023 numbers, where he boasted a 3.20 ERA over 32 starts, making the sudden decline all the more glaring.
This has played a role in the Diamondbacks holding one of the worst team ERA’s in baseball all season long.
Bowden wrote:
“Jordan Montgomery was expected to land a lucrative free-agent contract last offseason, but after turning down a four-year deal from the Red Sox, his market plummeted, and he ultimately signed a one-year, $25 million deal with the Diamondbacks that included a vesting option for a second year if he made 10 starts. While he did meet that threshold, Montgomery arrived at spring training out of shape, didn’t make his first start until April 19, and never regained his form. With a 6.23 ERA in 21 starts and four relief appearances, it’s hard to imagine him re-entering free agency after this disastrous year. Expect him to return to the Diamondbacks unless they trade him in the offseason.”
Bowden’s list ranked the Chicago White Sox as the biggest disappointment of 2024, followed by Montgomery. Other entries included the Mariners’ offense at No. 3, the Braves at No. 4, and the Blue Jays at No. 5.
As the season winds down, it remains unclear whether Montgomery will make the Diamondbacks’ postseason roster—assuming they secure a playoff spot.
