Jordan Montgomery signing with Arizona Diamondbacks in free agency leaves MLB 'stunned'

The reaction from MLB writers and analysts is pouring in for the Arizona Diamondbacks' reported deal for starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery.

And baseball people, according to one writer, are "stunned."

News broke Tuesday night that Arizona had reached a one-year $25 million deal with the left-hander and some MLB personalities couldn't believe the reported parameters of the deal.

Montgomery had a 3.20 ERA last season with the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers. He helped the Rangers beat the Diamondbacks in the 2023 World Series.

Now, he'll join a strong DBacks rotation that also includes Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguez and Brandon Pfaadt.

Check out the reaction from some baseball insiders about Arizona's reported agreement with Montgomery and the impact it could potentially have on the National League pennant and NL West division races.

More: Jordan Montgomery signing earns Arizona Diamondbacks' Ken Kendrick praise, 'much respect'

ESPN: Jordan Montgomery deal with Diamondbacks leaves MLB 'stunned'

"What an incredible pickup for the Diamondbacks, getting a lefthanded veteran coming off that career season," Buster Olney said on ESPN Tuesday, via Bleacher Report. "People around baseball were stunned at the dollar figures on this with one year guaranteed at $25 million because there had been talk during the wintertime that his camp, his representative Scott Boras, was looking for something in the Aaron Nola range, about $170 million. It is a long way down for the Diamondbacks to get a pitcher at this price. People were texting me last night, 'Can you believe this? What happened?' Think about this, two Boras clients coming off career years, Blake Snell, Cy Young award winner last year in the National League, and Montgomery, combined got about $50 million less than Tyler Glasnow. That makes no sense."

The Athletic: Jordan Montgomery contract a bargain for Diamondbacks

Levi Weaver writes: "Montgomery’s AAV is higher, of course, and there are vesting options. If he makes 10 starts, he’ll be guaranteed $20 million in 2025, with an additional $2.5 million when he hits 18 and 23 starts. But it’s still an unseemly end to the saga of the Boras Four, none of whom got contracts even approaching projections. (Tim Britton projected Montgomery at five years and $105 million.) It’s a bargain for the Diamondbacks, who we thought had already made their splash by signing Eduardo Rodriguez. Instead, Rodriguez and Montgomery join what is suddenly a pretty daunting rotation. Give Mike Hazen credit: He didn’t just acknowledge a shortcoming, he addressed it."

Fansided: Diamondbacks make great move in landing Jordan Montgomery

Christopher Kline writes: "This is a great move for Arizona, capitalizing on the weak market and keeping pace with the ongoing NL West arms race. Several teams should be kicking themselves for not adding Montgomery on such a low-risk deal. His AAV is fairly high, but for two years at the most, this was hardly a case of putting too many eggs in one basket."

Sources: Diamondbacks agree to deal with Jordan Montgomery

MLB Trade Rumors: Diamondbacks turn big weakness into strength with Jordan Montgomery

Nick Deeds writes: "For the Diamondbacks, the addition of Montgomery further strengthens a starting rotation that the club already took a major step toward addressing when they signed left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez to a four-year, $80MM deal back in December. When at full strength, the club’s rotation now figures to feature NL Cy Young Award finalist Zac Gallen and Montgomery at the front, with Rodriguez and veteran righty Merrill Kelly in the middle, and youngster Brandon Pfaadt bringing up the rear. It’s a massive upgrade from the club’s 2023 group, which pitched to a combined 4.67 ERA last season. That was a bottom-ten figure in the majors last year and placed the club dead last among all 2023 playoff teams. By signing Montgomery, the Diamondbacks have successfully converted one of their biggest weaknesses in 2023 into a clear strength ahead of the 2024 season, at least on paper."

ESPN: Arizona Diamondbacks could surprise NL after Jordan Montgomery deal

Jeff Passan writes: "It's an ideal landing spot for Montgomery, whose data-driven approach aligns with that of Diamondbacks pitching coach Brent Strom and pitching strategist Dan Haren. And if he can help Arizona in October the same way he did the Rangers last season, the Diamondbacks could once again surprise an NL in which the Dodgers and Atlanta Braves are favorites to win the pennant."

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'Did not see this coming': More reaction to the Diamondbacks' deal with Jordan Montgomery

Check out how MLB Network analysts reacted to the Jordan Montgomery to the DBacks news in the videos below.

Hint: They were all high on the move for Arizona.

What's your reaction to the Diamondbacks reaching a deal with free agent pitcher Jordan Montgomery?

More: 5 most important questions for the Diamondbacks ahead of Opening Day

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Diamondbacks' Jordan Montgomery signing leaves MLB 'stunned'