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Left-handed starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery has finally found a new home as the free agent agreed to terms with the Arizona Diamondbacks pending a physical, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Here’s a look at the defending National League pennant winner’s updated 2024 rotation and payroll following the move.
Earlier Tuesday, manager Torey Lovullo told reporters (h/t Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic) that the rotation would consist of Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Tommy Henry, Brandon Pfaadt and Ryne Nelson in that order.
Montgomery would presumably replace Nelson, who won a spring training competition to be the fifth starter. Then there’s the recently acquired Eduardo Rodriguez, who is starting the season on the injured list with a lat strain. When the southpaw returns, he should replace Henry, who was in competition for a starting gig before Rodriguez was hurt.
That leaves the D-backs with a rotation of Gallen, Kelly, Montgomery, Rodriguez and Pfaadt. One could debate the exact order behind the staff ace in Gallen, but that’s the quintet when everyone’s healthy.
Rodriguez was notably going to be the No. 3 starter behind Gallen and Kelly, so he figures to either remain at that spot when he returns or drop to fourth in the rotation behind them and Montgomery.
Per Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic, Montgomery signed a one-year deal worth $25 million with a vesting player option for a second season. Bob Nightengale of USA Today explained the vesting option:
Bob Nightengale @BNightengale
So Montgomery is guaranteed $45 million if he starts 10 games in 2024 and $50 million if he makes 23 starts https://t.co/EDtj7CKGz4
Nightengale also reported that the Diamondbacks’ payroll is now a franchise record of nearly $175 million. Michael Ginnitti, co-founder and editor of Spotrac, added that the team’s tax payroll will be $212 million.
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