Montgomery hoped to parlay a strong 2023 season, which included a World Series ring with the Rangers, into a lucrative long-term deal but one never materialized. The left-hander eventually signed with Arizona late in spring training, and the non-traditional ramp up had a deleterious effect on Montgomery. He ended the season with a 6.28 ERA over 25 outings (21 starts), last among pitchers with more than 140 innings. Unsurprisingly, he exercised a 2025 option and joins the competition of six legitimate starters. Nothing is guaranteed for Montgomery, who was hit hard (41 percent), as opponents teed off on his sinker, the pitch he throws most. His walk rate jumped (6.2% to 8.3%), while his strikeout rate plummeted (21.4% to 15.6%). Warning flags abound, but Montgomery was one of 14 pitchers with at least 550 innings pitched and a sub-3.65 ERA from 2020-23. Read Past Outlooks