After Corbin Burnes’ deal with the Diamondbacks, Jordan Montgomery appears to be on his way out, and the Braves could be a good trade partner.
Arizona outbid several other teams to land Burnes, offering him a six-year, $35 million annual contract, a franchise record. This move has made Montgomery expendable, creating an opportunity for Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos to acquire a player with a solid track record at a low cost.
Several factors make this trade logical. Reports indicate the Diamondbacks are willing to cover part of Montgomery’s salary to facilitate the deal. He’s set to earn $22.5 million after exercising his player option.
Montgomery struggled last season, finishing with a rough 6.23 ERA across 25 appearances and 117 innings. His poor performance made it a certainty that he would opt into his player option for 2025, despite facing criticism from the team owner.
After the season, Ken Kendrick, Arizona’s owner, expressed disappointment, calling the investment in Montgomery “a horrible decision” and their “biggest mistake” of the season.
Given the tension, it seems unlikely the relationship can be repaired, which is where the Braves come in. Montgomery’s 6.23 ERA doesn’t reflect his true ability. His 4.48 FIP suggests the ERA was inflated, and he posted a 3.48 ERA over the previous three seasons with the Yankees, Cardinals, and Rangers.
Montgomery is an ideal “buy-low, high-upside” candidate for Anthopoulos, whose focus is on value. Arizona’s willingness to cover part of Montgomery’s salary only adds to the appeal. While he may not be an ace, he’s a solid middle-of-the-rotation arm, and if the Diamondbacks are covering some salary, it could be a smart risk. A similar situation unfolded last year when the Braves traded for Chris Sale, which turned out to be a successful move.
