In a revealing interview on “The Burns & Gambo Show,” Arizona Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick took full accountability for the team’s misstep in signing pitcher Jordan Montgomery ahead of the 2024 season. Kendrick called the move one of the team’s most regrettable free-agent decisions and acknowledged that it was his initiative, not part of the Diamondbacks’ original offseason plan.
Kendrick said he personally advocated for Montgomery’s acquisition after bringing the idea to the front office, which ultimately agreed to the signing. Reflecting on the disappointing outcome, the owner admitted that committing such a large contract to a player who underperformed was a major error, calling it their biggest personnel mistake of the season.
“Let me say it the best way I can say it, if anyone wants to blame anyone for Jordan Montgomery being a Diamondback, you’re talking to the guy who should be blamed,” Kendrick told. “Because I brought it to [the front office’s] attention. I pushed for it. They agreed to it. “It wasn’t in our game plan. You know when he was signed, right at the end of spring training. And looking back, in hindsight, a horrible decision, to have invested that money in a guy that performed as poorly as he did. It was our biggest mistake this season from a talent standpoint. And I’m the perpetrator of that.”
Montgomery, previously with the Yankees, was among four high-profile players represented by agent Scott Boras who signed late in the offseason at contracts that appeared below market value. Fresh off a stellar 2023 postseason run with the Rangers, Montgomery went unsigned until just before Opening Day, when he agreed to a one-year, $25 million deal with Arizona.
However, the left-hander struggled throughout the year, finishing the season with a disappointing 6.23 ERA over 25 appearances. Despite his struggles, Montgomery qualified to exercise a player option for the 2025 season, worth $22.5 million, which he is expected to take given his lackluster performance in 2024.
Following the difficult season, Montgomery parted ways with Boras, later alleging that the agent mishandled his free-agency process.
The Diamondbacks’ playoff hopes were dashed as the team finished with an 89-73 record, falling just one win short of the postseason. Their fate was sealed on the final day of the regular season when the Mets and Braves split a doubleheader.
The ordeal underscores the high stakes of last-minute free-agent signings and the potential risks involved when deviating from established team strategies.
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The misstep was not in signing Monty, but allowing Boras to put that date that he must be in the Major
League roster by, which was only 3 weeks after signing. Spring Training for 6 weeks is for the pitchers. That’s on them. He never looked ready, and they never mapped out a plan. Look at Cole. Even his first 2 Major League starts this year after only 3 rehab starts were disastrous. If you’re gonna sign him that late and also agree to an unrealistic report date, at least have a plan.