There is a kind among the Braves. They won’t compete with the Dodgers, the Mets, or any other team that has a lot of money for big-name free agents. Value is the top priority for Alex Anthopoulos. Although he typically zigs when everyone else zags, such as Reynaldo Lopez, that doesn’t imply he won’t access free agency. Jordan Montgomery is one buy-low trade possibility who has the Braves written all over it. He was forced to take a $25 million one-year contract with the Diamondbacks with a 2025 player option after he waited for a big long-term deal in free agency last offseason.
Montgomery struggled to find his flow and got off to a rough start without any spring training, which led to an ugly 6.23 ERA spanning21 begins. But the veteran had a 3.48 ERA in three seasons with the Yankees, Cardinals, and Rangers before the 2024 season with Arizona. Furthermore, it appears that his 6.23 ERA was rather exaggerated given his 4.48 FIP from the previous season.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, who called Montgomery “near the top of the list of players likeliest to get dealt,” the Diamondbacks are so eager to sell Montgomery that they are even prepared to forgo part of his pay in order to make the trade. This makes it even more ideal.
Their connection has a fissure. Owner Ken Kendrick told Arizona Sports after the unsuccessful season that it was “a poor decision to have put that money in a guy thatdid not perform as well as he did. I am the one responsible for our greatest talent-related error of the season.
Trade Proposal: Arizona Diamondbacks acquire RHP Ian Anderson; Atlanta Braves acquire LHP Jordan Montgomery in cash
—
As the 2025 season approaches, Ian Anderson is unknown. In ten starts in Triple-A this season, the 26-year-old recorded a 3.96 ERA with 53 strikeouts and 27 walks in 52.1 innings pitched. Let’s not forget who he was at his finest, even though it isn’t really inspiring.
With two shutout performances during the Braves’ 2021 World Series run, including 5.0 hitless innings in Game 5 against the Astros, Anderson has a 1.26 playoff ERA. He continues to exercise control at a team-friendly pace for several years.and after Tommy John, guys occasionally return better.
Of course, this deal could make sense if the Braves believe Anderson is unlikely to contribute in Atlanta.