While the Atlanta Braves accomplished most of their offseason goals, it was surprising that they didn’t add a starting pitcher. With questions surrounding some of their prospects’ readiness for 2025 and the impending departures of Max Fried and Charlie Morton, many expected the team to bolster its rotation depth—but that move never materialized.
That’s not to say the Braves didn’t attempt to add a starter. They were among the finalists for Garrett Crochet before he signed with the Red Sox, and they were linked to several other notable free-agent pitchers throughout the offseason. Additionally, they explored trade options, including a potential deal for Jordan Montgomery.
At the time, targeting Montgomery—a pitcher with untapped potential who could benefit from a change of scenery—seemed like a logical move. However, in hindsight, the Braves may have dodged a major setback, as it was revealed on Tuesday that Montgomery will undergo Tommy John surgery.
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Braves did well to avoid nightmare situation after Jordan Montgomery Tommy John reveal
There were valid concerns about trading for Jordan Montgomery this past offseason, including the hefty salary the Diamondbacks were asking teams to absorb and his struggles on the mound last year. While his past track record was strong, it’s hard to overlook a significant decline—especially for a pitcher set to earn $22.5 million in 2025.
It’s possible the Braves noticed warning signs, such as Montgomery’s slight dip in fastball velocity in 2024, and that may have deterred them from aggressively pursuing a deal. Regardless of the exact reason, their decision to pass on him appears to have worked out in their favor.
Now, the Diamondbacks are in a tough spot. After their owner publicly criticized Montgomery, they were almost certainly looking to trade him before the season. Instead, he’s now headed to the injured list, and Arizona is stuck paying his full salary with nothing in return. Had they been more flexible in negotiations, this could have been Atlanta’s problem—but for once, an injury-related decision played out in the Braves’ favor.
