While the Atlanta Braves have been frustratingly quiet this offseason, the rest of the market has been refreshingly active, especially compared to the sluggish offseasons of recent years. Most of the top free agents have already signed, including one of the premier pitchers on the market, Corbin Burnes, who agreed to terms with the Diamondbacks late Friday night.
The Braves were never serious contenders for Burnes. If Atlanta wasn’t willing to pay Max Fried—an established fan favorite they know well—there was no chance they’d shell out even more for Burnes, especially with Scott Boras involved. While the Braves aren’t afraid to pursue top talent, they’re strategic about it, and the Burnes sweepstakes, driven by Boras, was anything but measured.
That said, Burnes landing in Arizona might still work in the Braves’ favor. With the Diamondbacks’ owner publicly criticizing Jordan Montgomery earlier this offseason and speculation growing that they’ll trade him, Atlanta should seriously consider making a move for Montgomery—especially now that Arizona is committed to paying Burnes a hefty salary.
The Braves should push for a Jordan Montgomery trade as a relatively low-risk lottery ticket
Anyone who kept up with baseball last year knows that Montgomery’s 2024 season was rough, to say the least. After settling for a short-term deal due to Boras mismanaging his free agency market, Montgomery struggled in Arizona, posting a 6.23 ERA over 25 appearances and an uncharacteristically low strikeout rate. The numbers were undeniably poor, and there’s no disputing that.
That said, Montgomery’s consistency in the three seasons prior (2021-2023) makes him an intriguing bounce-back candidate. Over that stretch, he averaged a 3.48 ERA and 3.62 FIP while excelling at attacking the strike zone and inducing chases. His disastrous 2024 campaign stands out as an anomaly, and many attribute it to the lack of a proper offseason and spring training, compounded by the distractions of his messy free agency.
The case for the Braves pursuing Montgomery is simple. If Atlanta believes his struggles were situational rather than indicative of a long-term decline, they could potentially acquire him for a bargain. Arizona, now saddled with a $35 million-a-year commitment to Burnes, was already looking to offload Montgomery. The Braves could likely negotiate a deal where the Diamondbacks cover part of Montgomery’s $22.5 million salary while accepting a modest prospect package in return. For Arizona, moving Montgomery would be more about shedding payroll than extracting value.
For Atlanta, this would be a relatively low-risk move. Montgomery still has legitimate upside as a starter (assuming he’s healthy) and is only under contract for one more season. If he bounces back, it’s a win. If not, the Braves have plenty of promising rotation options in the high minors to fill the gap. While cost remains a factor, and the Braves should walk away if Arizona demands too much, the current landscape suggests Montgomery could be a smart pickup at the right price.
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