Tue Mar 25 17:30:00 UTC 2025: **Diamondbacks’ Montgomery Remains Untraded, Team Asks for Salary Relief**

PHOENIX, AZ – Arizona Diamondbacks left-handed pitcher Jordan Montgomery, a logical trade candidate, remains on the team’s roster as Opening Day approaches. While trade talks were reported last week, the Arizona Republic’s Nick Piecoro revealed today that the Diamondbacks are seeking significant salary relief, asking at least one team to absorb $13 million of Montgomery’s $25 million salary for the 2025 season.

This request reflects a challenging situation for the Diamondbacks. While Montgomery boasts a strong track record (10.3 WAR from 2021-2023, including a key role in the 2023 World Series-winning Texas Rangers team), his 2024 season was disastrous (6.23 ERA in 117 innings), leading to a demotion to the bullpen. This poor performance triggered a $20 million player option for 2025.

The current market for starting pitchers, cooler than earlier in the offseason, makes the Diamondbacks’ request problematic. Recent signings of pitchers like Andrew Heaney and Jose Quintana have involved guarantees between $4.25 and $5.25 million, significantly less than the $13 million Arizona is seeking for Montgomery.

The Diamondbacks’ rotation is currently set with Zac Gallen, Corbin Burnes, Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguez, and Brandon Pfaadt, leaving little room for Montgomery. Ryne Nelson, who pitched well in the second half of last year, also contends for a spot. This crowded rotation, coupled with the high salary, could force Montgomery into a long-relief role initially.

However, the Diamondbacks are hoping that the inevitability of pitching injuries across the league will create opportunities for Montgomery later in the season, increasing his trade value before the deadline. If no team agrees to their terms before Opening Day, the Diamondbacks will likely retain Montgomery, hoping he can regain form and increase his value mid-season. The team’s strong pitching depth provides them with the luxury to wait and see how the season unfolds before making a decision on the veteran pitcher’s future.

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