The 2024 season review of Jordan Montgomery, part of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ roster, reflects a year filled with highs and lows for the veteran pitcher. Initially, Montgomery was signed to a one-year, $25 million deal with a vesting option for 2025 after the D-backs needed experienced depth in their rotation due to the loss of another star, Eduardo Rodriguez, in spring training. Montgomery came off a strong 2023 season, where he pitched effectively for both the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers, helping the latter secure a World Series win.
However, Montgomery’s transition into the 2024 season with Arizona was far from smooth. After missing spring training, his debut start on April 19 was promising, allowing just one run over six innings against the San Francisco Giants. For much of the early season, he delivered solid performances, often pitching six innings or more with four quality starts by the end of May. But a disastrous outing against the Mets on May 31 marked a significant downturn in his season. From there, Montgomery’s ERA soared, climbing over 6.00 after a string of poor starts, including rough outings against the Giants and Twins in June. His mid-season struggles culminated in a seven-run disaster against Minnesota, after which he was placed on the injured list for a month due to right knee inflammation.
Montgomery’s return from injury was inconsistent at best. While he initially delivered a strong performance with a five-inning, one-run outing, he quickly reverted to poor form, giving up six runs in his following start. His ERA hovered above 6.00 for the remainder of the season, fluctuating between solid starts and significant struggles. By late August, the Diamondbacks moved him to the bullpen, where his results were mixed. His first relief appearance was solid, but he was soon back in the rotation due to injuries to other pitchers. Montgomery closed out the season with two underwhelming starts, leaving his overall performance for 2024 well below expectations.
Several factors contributed to Montgomery’s decline in performance. His primary fastball, a sinker, lost nearly 2 mph in velocity, which negatively impacted his command and movement. Combined with inconsistent location, he often left pitches over the heart of the plate, making him more vulnerable to opposing hitters. Despite his struggles, his 4.48 FIP suggests he might have been somewhat unlucky or let down by the defense behind him, though that does little to mitigate the disappointment of his overall performance.
Looking ahead to 2025, Montgomery’s future with the Diamondbacks remains uncertain. His vesting player option for 2025 is set at $22.5 million, and it seems likely he will opt in given his subpar performance this year and the likelihood that he wouldn’t command a comparable salary in free agency. However, the Diamondbacks may not be eager to pay such a high price for a pitcher who struggled so significantly in 2024. While there are rumors of a potential trade, Montgomery’s high salary makes it unlikely that another team would take on his contract without some sort of compensation. Arizona could explore the possibility of cutting ties with him, as they did with Madison Bumgarner in 2023, but they may also give him a chance to redeem himself in 2025, particularly with a new coaching staff in place.
Ultimately, Montgomery’s 2024 season was marked by inconsistency, injuries, and underperformance, leaving his future with the Diamondbacks in question. Whether he remains with the team or moves on, he will need to prove that he can return to the form that made him a valuable asset earlier in his career if he hopes to extend his tenure in Arizona.
