Phoenix, Arizona – Less than a day after the Arizona Diamondbacks were knocked out of playoff contention, team owner Ken Kendrick publicly expressed regret over the signing of pitcher Jordan Montgomery, labeling it as the team’s “biggest mistake of the season.” Kendrick took full responsibility for pushing for Montgomery to be acquired by the team, leading to a disappointing season for the high-priced pitcher who struggled with a career-high 6.23 ERA.
Kendrick’s candid remarks came during an interview with Arizona Sports 98.7, where he admitted that pursuing Montgomery was not part of the team’s initial plan and reflected on the decision as a costly one in terms of talent acquisition. The one-year, $25 million contract with a player option for 2025 worth $22.5 million did not yield the expected results, with Montgomery eventually being moved to the bullpen in late August.
In response to Kendrick’s comments, Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen acknowledged the collaborative process that led to acquiring Montgomery but remained hopeful about the pitcher’s future with the team. Despite Montgomery’s struggles during the season, Hazen emphasized that decisions within the organization are ultimately his responsibility, and expressed confidence in Montgomery’s potential for improvement in the upcoming season.
Montgomery’s underperformance has been a source of disappointment for the team, as his contract fell significantly short of the projected five-year, $105 million deal reported by The Athletic early on. The pitcher himself cited his former agent Scott Boras for the contract’s shortcomings, potentially impacting his future negotiations as a free agent, should he choose to opt out of his deal with the Diamondbacks.
Looking ahead, Montgomery aims to put the past season behind him and focus on his performance moving forward, aiming to rebound from a challenging season and regain his standing in the league. Despite the setbacks, both Kendrick and Hazen expressed optimism about Montgomery’s potential to bounce back and contribute positively to the team in the upcoming season.