FILE - Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery throws to an Arizona Diamondbacks batter during the first inning in Game 2 of the baseball World Series, Oct. 28, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. The Diamondbacks have agreed with Montgomery on a $25 million, one-year deal with a vesting option for 2025, according to a person familiar with the deal. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday, March 26, because Montgomery still has to pass a physical. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vsquez, File)FILE - Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery throws against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning of Game 1 in an AL wild-card baseball playoff series Oct. 3, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Fla. Baseball agent Scott Boras claims the free agent market is intensifying for two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell and left-hander Montgomery with the opening day 3 1/2 weeks away for most teams,I think there's a pitching panic going on in Major League Baseball right now, he said Monday, March 4, 2024. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
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FILE - Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery throws to an Arizona Diamondbacks batter during the first inning in Game 2 of the baseball World Series, Oct. 28, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. The Diamondbacks have agreed with Montgomery on a $25 million, one-year deal with a vesting option for 2025, according to a person familiar with the deal. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday, March 26, because Montgomery still has to pass a physical. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vsquez, File)
PHOENIX – Left-hander Jordan Montgomery and the Arizona Diamondbacks finalized their $25 million, one-year deal on Friday.
Montgomery pitched for Texas against Arizona in the World Series last year, and his addition bulks up the defending National League champions’ rotation. He should slide into the No. 3 or No. 4 spot once he’s ready for game action, joining Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly and Eduardo RodrÃguez, who signed an $80 million, four-year contract with the Diamondbacks earlier in the offseason.
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The contract includes a vesting option for 2025.
If Montgomery makes at least 10 starts this season, the option would become guaranteed at $20 million and the left-hander also would gain the right to opt out. The option price would escalate to $22.5 million if he makes 18 starts and to $25 million if he makes 23 starts — a figure he has reached in three straight seasons.
The sides agreed to the deal on Tuesday, pending a physical.
Because Montgomery was not in the organization on opening day, the Diamondbacks cannot make a qualifying offer to him as a free agent and would not be eligible to get an additional pick in the 2025 amateur draft if he leaves Arizona at the end of the season and signs with another team.
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