All-Star Pitcher Drawing Trade Interest Despite Down Year
The market’s still there for Jordan Montgomery, even after a season that hasn’t gone according to plan.
The two-time All-Star is generating legitimate trade interest as teams look to bolster their rotations down the stretch. That’s according to multiple reports, including from MLB insider sources who’ve been tracking the market for starting pitching.
Montgomery’s 2024 numbers don’t jump off the page – he’s sitting with a 4.23 ERA through 28 starts with Arizona. But teams aren’t just looking at this year’s stats when they evaluate what the 31-year-old lefty brings to the table.
What makes this interesting is the context. Montgomery signed a one-year, $25 million deal with the Diamondbacks after a lengthy free agency process that stretched into spring training. The expectation was that he’d anchor their rotation after helping carry them to the World Series in 2023.
Instead, it’s been a season of adjustments. The velocity’s down slightly from last year, and the command hasn’t been as sharp as we saw during Arizona’s playoff run.
But here’s the thing – contending teams still see value in Montgomery’s track record. He’s got postseason experience, throws strikes, and knows how to pitch when games matter most. Those qualities don’t just disappear because of a few rough outings.
The Diamondbacks find themselves in an interesting spot. They’re not completely out of the wild card race, but they’re not in a position where they need to be buyers either. That puts Montgomery squarely in trade speculation territory.
“He’s still the same pitcher who helped get us to the World Series,” one National League executive said. “Sometimes guys have down years. Doesn’t mean they’ve lost it.”
From a market perspective, starting pitching remains at a premium. Teams like the Dodgers, Phillies, and Orioles have all been linked to rotation upgrades as we head toward the deadline.
Montgomery’s contract situation adds another wrinkle. He’s set to hit free agency again after this season, which means any acquiring team would essentially be renting him for a playoff push.
The way I see it, that might actually work in everyone’s favor. Teams get a proven starter without a long-term commitment, while Montgomery gets a chance to rebuild his market value on a bigger stage.
All things considered, it seems like a trade could benefit all parties involved. Arizona gets something back for a guy who might not be in their long-term plans anyway, and Montgomery gets a fresh start with a contender.
We’ll see how serious the interest gets as the deadline approaches, but early indications suggest there’s definitely a market for the veteran lefty’s services.
