The Arizona Diamondbacks emerged as the winners of the Corbin Burnes sweepstakes, signing him to a six-year, $210 million deal, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. However, with Burnes now on the roster, the Diamondbacks face a crowded starting pitching situation. After the upcoming season, three of their starters—Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, and Jordan Montgomery—are set to hit free agency. This could prompt Arizona to trade one of them to recoup some value.
Chicago White Sox Linked to Jordan Montgomery
In a report by Nick Deeds of MLB Trade Rumors, the Chicago White Sox have been identified as a potential trade destination for Jordan Montgomery. Given Montgomery’s situation, the White Sox should consider acquiring him as a short-term addition to aid their rebuilding process.
Montgomery, who will become a free agent after the season, carries a $22.5 million salary after exercising his team option. For the White Sox, this is an appealing short-term commitment, as their payroll is projected to be around $65.53 million for the season.
A Forgettable Season for Jordan Montgomery
Montgomery’s time with the Diamondbacks has been disappointing. In 21 starts (25 appearances) last season, he posted an 8-7 record with a 6.23 ERA over 117 innings, along with a 1.650 WHIP, 83 strikeouts, and an ERA+ of 67. Struggling with consistency, Montgomery was eventually moved to the bullpen, making his season one he’d rather forget.
Despite the challenging year, Montgomery opted to return for another season, hoping to use a full spring training to reset and bounce back in 2025.
Why the White Sox Should Trade for Montgomery
Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick has been outspoken about Montgomery’s performance, expressing regret over the decision to sign him. Kendrick admitted, “Looking back in hindsight, [it was] a horrible decision to have invested that money in a guy that performed as poorly as he did. It’s our biggest mistake this season from a talent standpoint, and I’m the perpetrator of that.”
Kendrick’s strong comments suggest Arizona is eager to move Montgomery and his $22.5 million salary. This creates an opportunity for the White Sox to step in, take on the contract as part of a salary dump, and potentially acquire a prospect as well.
For Chicago, the addition of Montgomery would bring a veteran left-hander to a rotation currently lacking both lefties and experienced arms. While they recently added Tyler Gilbert via a trade with the Phillies, Montgomery would provide further depth. If Montgomery rebounds in the first half of the season, the White Sox could flip him at the trade deadline for a decent prospect, making the move a low-risk, high-reward opportunity.
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