Could the Chicago Cubs add this disgruntled lefty?

With the Chicago Cubs looking to add to their starting rotation, could they look to add this disgruntled lefty to their starting rotation?

The Chicago Cubs have been rumored to add another pitcher to their starting staff since all offseason. In a new report published by Nick Deeds of MLB Trade Rumors those reports still seem to be coming in with Deeds listing the Chicago Cubs as a possibly landing spot for one the Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher’s left-hander Jordan Montgomery.

The disgruntled lefty Jordan Montgomery

The 32-year-old Jorand Montgomery has been a solid left-handed pitcher over the course of his career accumulating a record of 46-41 with a respectable 4.03 ERA, and amassing 788 strikeouts in 872 career innings pitched. Montgomery joined the Arizona Diamondbacks late into spring training signing on March 29th, 2024, to a one-year $25 million deal, with a $22.5 million option for 2025 which Montgomery chose to exercise after having a disastrous 2024 campaign.

Since signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks so late and not getting a full spring training to stretch himself out, face big league competition, and get the necessary work in to get ready for the grueling 162 game schedule Montgomery suffered as a result. Making 21 starts (25 total games) before being regulated to the bullpen Montgomery had an 8-7 record with a 6.23 ERA in 117 innings, a 1.650 WHIP, 83 strikeouts, and an ERA+ of 67 making it an absolutely miserable season for Jordan Montgomery. This was a stark contrast to the season he had in 2023 in which he went 10-11 with a 3.20 ERA 188.2 innings, 1.193 WHIP, 166 strikeouts, and 136 ERA+.

Even though Montgomery’s overall numbers weren’t great there are still some good things to note that boded well for him to bounce back in 2025. According to his Baseball Savant Montgomery ranked in the 91st percentile for chase percentage at 33.2%, as well as being ranked in the 81st percentile for barrel percentage 6%.

Why adding Jordan Montgomery would benefit the Chicago Cubs rotation?

With the Chicago Cubs rumored to add another starting pitcher at some point between now and the start of spring training, them being rumored to be in on Jordan Montgomery, who has been on the trade block since picking up his option, wouldn’t be a bad idea. Adding Montgomery would give the Chicago Cubs four out of five left-handed pitcher for their starting with Shota Imanaga, Justin Steele, and Mattew Boyd being the others with Jameson Taillon and Jaiver Assad being the only right-handed options.

The Chicago Cubs would be buying really low on Jordan Montgomery given how bad he was for the Arizona Diamondbacks last season to the point he was removed from the starting rotation and was relegated to bullpen duties. With getting a full spring training under his belt and just knowing where he will be pitching for a full season could help Jordan Montgomery bounce-back in 2025.

With the Cubs showing they want to add to their roster through the trade market rather than the free agency market with their acquisitions of superstar outfielder Kyle Tucker who the Cubs received from the Houston Astros and right-handed pitcher for the bullpen Eli Morgan coming over from the Cleveland Guardians being the examples. If Jordan Montgomery can get back to the player he once was, then Jordan Montgomery could really help the Chicago Cubs be one of the better teams in the National League, as well as help secure himself the lucrative deal with some security of knowing where he will be playing for the next few years is what he has been desiring.