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 similar points have seemingly led to a fairly quiet commerce marketplace for both participant up to now, although USA At present’s Bob Nightengale writes that Arizona “tried to get the Cubs concerned about a swap” involving the 2 gamers. It isn’t identified if the proposed deal was a straight one-for-one commerce or if different gamers had been concerned, although it may very well be a moot level because the Cubs apparently didn’t have a lot curiosity.
Bellinger selected to move on his opt-out clause within the wake of solely an okay 2024 season, leaving him on Chicago’s roster via the 2026 season for $52.5MM in remaining wage. This breaks down as $27.5MM in 2025, after which Bellinger can both decide out of the ultimate yr of the deal and pocket a $5MM buyout on his approach 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 could 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 attributable to his prolonged stint in free company.
D’Backs proprietor Ken Kendrick was publicly vital of the Montgomery signing throughout a radio interview again in October, which was considered as both some surprisingly harsh honesty from an govt a few participant, or as Kendrick’s try to try to get Montgomery to decide 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 procuring [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 easy 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 consequence within the profitable longer-term pacts every participant was trying to rating. It ought to be famous that Chapman and Snell have now discovered such contracts in the previous few months — Chapman through his extension with the Giants and Snell’s new five-year take care of the Dodgers.
From a pure baseball perspective, swapping Montgomery for Bellinger helps the D’Backs and Cubs every tackle some wants. Bellinger would carry offense to an Arizona workforce that could be dropping Christian Walker, Joc Pederson, and Randal Grichuk in free company, and Bellinger may slot proper in as a substitute 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 considered 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 can be drawing commerce curiosity, and transferring Montgomery to the Cubs would assist Chicago bolster the again of its rotation. Matthew Boyd was just lately 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 may very well be become commerce chips, and in addition transfer Bellinger out of the Cub’ crowded outfield and first base state of affairs.
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 standard offseason. It’s in all probability 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 wish to make fairly that huge 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 particularly may emerge as a stronger suitor if the workforce doesn’t re-sign Juan Soto. Even when the numbers haven’t matched updated for the Cubs to find a commerce companion for Bellinger, this energetic market may very well 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 decide out after 2025, the Diamondbacks could be dealing with the larger monetary burden in taking over two years of wage in trade for Montgomery’s last 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.
