There was loads of commerce hypothesis surrounding the Diamondbacks’ Jordan Montgomery and the Cubs’ Cody Bellinger this offseason, as each gamers have outsized salaries and are considerably imperfect roster matches on their respective golf equipment. These identical points have seemingly led to a somewhat quiet commerce marketplace for both participant to this point, although USA Immediately’s Bob Nightengale writes that Arizona “tried to get the Cubs all in favour of a swap” involving the 2 gamers. It isn’t recognized if the proposed deal was a straight one-for-one commerce or if different gamers had been concerned, although it might be a moot level because the Cubs apparently didn’t have a lot curiosity.
Bellinger selected to cross on his opt-out clause within the wake of solely an okay 2024 season, leaving him on Chicago’s roster by the 2026 season for $52.5MM in remaining wage. This breaks down as $27.5MM in 2025, after which Bellinger can both choose out of the ultimate yr of the deal and pocket a $2.5MM buyout on his manner again to free company, or he can once more forego the opt-out clause and earn $25MM in 2026.
Montgomery additionally determined in opposition to opting out of the ultimate yr of his two-year deal Arizona, and can obtain $22.5MM for the 2025 season. Whereas a case may’ve been made for Bellinger to check the market once more this winter, there was little question Montgomery can be staying in his contract within the wake of a disastrous first season with the D’Backs. Montgomery signed with Arizona simply earlier than Opening Day after which struggled to a 6.23 ERA over 117 innings, seemingly a by-product of lacking Spring Coaching and never having a correct ramp-up resulting from his prolonged stint in free company.
D’Backs proprietor Ken Kendrick was publicly important of the Montgomery signing throughout a radio interview again in October, which was considered as both some surprisingly harsh honesty from an government a couple of participant, or as Kendrick’s try to try to get Montgomery to choose out of his contract simply to pursue a contemporary begin elsewhere. If the latter, the tactic clearly didn’t work, and Nightengale writes that “the Diamondbacks are purchasing [Montgomery] in every single place” to try to transfer that wage off the books.
A Montgomery-for-Bellinger commerce is fascinating for a number of causes, starting with the straightforward undeniable fact that they had been each members of the so-called “Boras 4.” Together with Blake Snell and Matt Chapman, Montgomery and Bellinger had been each represented by agent Scott Boras final offseason, and all 4 gamers ended up settling for shorter-term contracts with opt-out after prolonged stints in free company didn’t outcome within the profitable longer-term pacts every participant was trying to rating. It needs to be famous that Chapman and Snell have now discovered such contracts in the previous few months — Chapman by way of his extension with the Giants and Snell’s new five-year deal with the Dodgers.
From a pure baseball perspective, swapping Montgomery for Bellinger helps the D’Backs and Cubs every tackle some wants. Bellinger would deliver offense to an Arizona staff that may be dropping Christian Walker, Joc Pederson, and Randal Grichuk in free company, and Bellinger may slot proper in as a alternative for Walker at first base. Whereas Bellinger’s left-handed bat would additional imbalance a Diamondbacks lineup that’s already heavy with lefty swingers, Bellinger’s potential to play the outfield may make the D’Backs extra comfy in buying and selling one of their in-house left-handed hitting outfielders. Jake McCarthy or Alek Thomas are the likeliest commerce candidates, since clearly Corbin Carroll isn’t going wherever.
The Diamondbacks have a rotation surplus that’s additionally drawing commerce curiosity, and transferring Montgomery to the Cubs would assist Chicago bolster the again of its rotation. Matthew Boyd was not too long ago signed to hitch Shota Imanaga, Justin Steele, and Jameson Taillon within the Cubs’ beginning 5, and although Javier Assad is lined up for that fifth starter’s job, the Cubs are reportedly open to extra additions within the beginning pitching division. Buying and selling for Montgomery would give Chicago its personal semi-surplus of rotation choices that might be was commerce chips, and likewise transfer Bellinger out of the Cub’ crowded outfield and first base scenario.
Regardless of his tough 2024 numbers, it wouldn’t be stunning to see Montgomery rebound to his previous self now that he’ll benefit from a traditional offseason. It’s most likely protected to imagine that he’d be a preferred bounce-back candidate in commerce talks if it wasn’t for the $22.5MM price ticket, as rival groups may not need to make fairly that massive of a wager that Montgomery can regain his previous type.
The Astros, Mariners, and Yankees have all proven some extent of curiosity in Bellinger, and New York specifically may emerge as a stronger suitor if the staff doesn’t re-sign Juan Soto. Even when the numbers haven’t matched updated for the Cubs in discovering a commerce companion for Bellinger, this energetic market might be a purpose why the Cubs are aiming a bit larger of their pursuits than maybe settling for Montgomery in a swap of unfavorable contracts.
Whereas Bellinger would possibly but choose out after 2025, the Diamondbacks can be going through the larger monetary burden in taking over two years of wage in trade for Montgomery’s remaining remaining yr. After the 2025 season, nevertheless, a great deal of cash is coming off Arizona’s books, as Zac Gallen, Eugenio Suarez, and Merrill Kelly are all free brokers subsequent winter. That would make becoming Bellinger into the 2026 payroll a bit extra palatable for the Snakes.