The D-backs shocked the baseball world by profitable the Nationwide League final 12 months, however going into the 2024 season, there are sure to be some who think about Arizona’s unbelievable run a one-off incidence.
Arizona made it abundantly clear that the objective in 2024 is a World Collection championship by swooping in and touchdown left-hander Jordan Montgomery to affix a beginning rotation headlined by 2023 All-Star and NL Cy Younger Award finalist Zac Gallen.
Montgomery and the D-backs agreed to a one-year, $25 million contract with a vesting choice simply two days earlier than Opening Day, a supply informed MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. The transfer provides to the thrill surrounding the defending NL champs, whose World Collection run final fall was their first since 2001.
The aforementioned Gallen, one of many faces of the membership together with reigning NL Rookie of the 12 months Corbin Carroll and slugging first baseman Christian Walker, mentioned he is “pumped.”
“The entrance workplace went on the market and added Jordan Montgomery,” Gallen mentioned on MLB Community Radio on Wednesday. ” … We have seen his invoice of labor and we all know what he can do, so we’re excited to get him within the clubhouse and get him in our tradition and see him go to work.”
When Gallen mentioned the D-backs know what Montgomery can do, he was hearkening again to October, when the left-hander helped the Rangers win the franchise’s first World Collection title over Arizona.
Total, Montgomery owns a profession 3.68 ERA over seven Main League seasons. The 31-year-old was among the many high names on this offseason’s free agent market after posting a 3.20 ERA in 32 begins between the Cardinals and Rangers final 12 months, together with a 2.79 mark in 11 begins down the stretch for Texas.
Past serving to the D-backs on paper as they appear to show they don’t seem to be a one-year marvel, Gallen mentioned the influence on the clubhouse is important.
“It offers everybody much more confidence, understanding that the entrance workplace and possession is backing you,” he mentioned. “They’re doubling down. They are going to spend money on our staff. I believe it offers the fellows within the clubhouse confidence to know that we’re adequate and we now have a product that [the front office] can spend money on.”
“We’re actually excited to see how this season takes form for us,” he mentioned. “We’re clearly a bit bit bummed that we did not end the job [last year] … There are a number of guys that really feel like we nonetheless have one thing to show, which we do. To do it one 12 months – there are one-hit wonders on a regular basis.”
