There’s a lot of speculation surrounding the Diamondbacks trade Jordan Montgomery and Cubs Cody Bellinger Both players are highly paid this offseason and have somewhat imperfect rosters with their respective clubs. These same issues appear to have led to a fairly quiet trade market for both players so far, though USA Today’s Bob Nightengale writes that Arizona is “trying to get the Cubs to trade deals involving both players.” Interested in exchange”. It’s unclear if the proposed trade is a straight one-for-one deal or if other players are involved, but that could be a moot point as the Cubs clearly don’t have much interest.
Bellinger opted to waive his opt-out clause after a decent 2024 season, leaving him on Chicago’s roster through the 2026 season with a remaining salary of $52.5MM. That fee would reach $27.5 in 2025, and then Bellinger could opt out of the final year of the agreement and receive a $2.5 buyout when he returns to free agency, or he could waive the opt-out clause again and Earn $25 MM in 2026.
Montgomery also decided not to opt out of the final year of his two-year contract in Arizona and will receive $22.5MM through the 2025 season. While Bellinger has reason to test the market again this winter, there’s no doubt Montgomery will remain under contract after a disastrous first season with the DeBackers. Montgomery signed with Arizona before Opening Day and then posted a 6.23 ERA in 117 innings, which seemed to be a byproduct of missing spring training and not being properly promoted due to being a long-time free agent.
D’Backs owner Ken Kendrick publicly criticized Montgomery’s signing in a radio interview in October, which was viewed as either a surprisingly harsh honesty to a player from an executive or Ken Kendrick’s Derek tries to get Montgomery to opt out. If it’s the latter, the strategy clearly doesn’t work, Nightengale writes: “Rattlesnakes are shopping [Montgomery] Everywhere” trying to get wages off the books.
The Montgomery-for-Bellinger trade was fascinating for several reasons, starting with the simple fact that they were all members of the so-called “Bolas Four.” together with Blake Snell and Matt ChapmanMontgomery and Bellinger were both represented by agent Scott Boras last offseason, and all four players ultimately opted out of short-term contracts because long-term free agency wasn’t profitable for each player. Generous long-term contracts. It should be noted that Chapman and Snell have found such deals over the past few months – Chapman via an extension with the Giants and Snell through a new five-year deal with the Dodgers.
From a purely baseball perspective, trading Montgomery for Bellinger would help DeBacker and the Cubs each fill some needs. Bellinger will bring offense to Arizona team that may lose game Christian Walker, Jock Pedersonand Randall Grichuk Bellinger could serve as Walker’s replacement at first base in free agency. While Bellinger’s left-handed bat would further unbalance a Diamondbacks lineup that’s already filled with left-handed swingers, Bellinger’s ability to play outfield could give the Diamondbacks a chance to trade them. A left-handed hitting outfielder inside is more comfortable. Jack McCarthy or Alec Thomas is the most likely trade candidate because obviously Corbin Carroll Not going anywhere.
The Diamondbacks have a rotation surplus that has also attracted trade interest, and moving Montgomery to the Cubs would help Chicago bolster its rotation. Matthew Boyd Recently signed up Shota Imaga, Justin Steeleand Jameson Taillon On the Cubs’ starting five Javier Assad is lining up for the fifth starter’s job, and the Cubs are reportedly open to more additions to the starting pitching department. Trading Montgomery would leave Chicago with a semi-surplus rotation selection that could be converted into trade chips and also free Bellinger from the Cubs’ crowded outfield and first base.
Despite the poor numbers in 2024, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Montgomery return to his old form, as he will enjoy the benefits of a normal offseason. It’s a safe bet that if not for the $22.5MM price tag, he would be a popular bounce-back candidate in trade talks, as opposing teams may not want to bet such a big bet on the idea that Montgomery can regain his spot.
The Astros, Mariners and Yankees have all shown some level of interest in Bellinger, and New York could emerge as a stronger suitor if the team doesn’t re-sign him Juan Soto. Even if the Cubs’ numbers on finding a trade partner for Bellinger don’t match up to the latest numbers, this active market could be the reason the Cubs pursue the target higher than if they were to trade Montgomery on unfavorable terms.
While Bellinger could potentially opt out after 2025, the Diamondbacks would face a greater financial burden as they would trade two years of salary for Montgomery’s final year. However, Arizona will have a lot of money on its books after the 2025 season, as Zach Gallen, Eugenio Suarezand Merrill Kelly All are free agents next winter. That could make it easier for the Snakes to accept adding Bellinger to the 2026 payroll.
