Jordan Montgomery was one of the best free-agent pitchers heading into the offseason.
Most analysts and publications had him projected for at least a five-year deal in excess of $100 million.
After the season of his life, which ended with a 3.20 ERA and a World Series title with the Texas Rangers, he was bound to make life-changing money over a significant period of time.
Instead, he was the last of the truly great pitchers to sign, when he put pen to paper on a one-year, $25 million pact with the Arizona Diamondbacks. well into spring training.
It also has a vesting option for 2025.
Still, it was far short of what he expected.
His agent Scott Boras likely played a major role in Montgomery not signing until very late in the offseason.
As a result, he is switching agents and will no longer be represented by Boras.
Montgomery will now be represented by Wasserman’s Joel Wolfe and Nick Chanock instead.
Boras’ demands were probably too high, which prevented the left-hander from getting a multi-year contract.
He misplayed other free-agent markets, too, such as with Cody Bellinger, Blake Snell, and Matt Chapman.
If Montgomery suffers a serious, long-term injury, he probably won’t get the deal he wants and deserves in part due to Boras’ handling of his market.
His decision to change agents should be interpreted as a direct consequence of that.
For now, he will get a chance to prove his worth with Arizona.
He had his first minor league tuneup start this past weekend, allowing two runs in four innings.
He should be ready to join the rotation later this month, but he lost too much time and he and his family likely suffered as a result.