Ex-Yankees starter finally finds new team after Mets, Yankees show more interest.

If Montgomery makes 10 starts, he will be eligible for a second-year, $20 million player option. According to Passan, if he makes 18 starts, his salary would go to $22.5 million, and if he makes 23 starts, it will be $25 million.

The Diamondbacks acquired the 31-year-old after Eduardo Rodriguez suffered a lat injury this week. Montgomery will join a rotation that includes Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, and Brandon Pfaadt.

Montgomery entered free agency following a successful 2023 season in which he produced a 3.20 ERA in 32 starts for the Cardinals and Rangers. He made six postseason appearances (five starts), posting a 2.90 ERA in 31 innings and guiding Texas to its first World Series victory.

The Yankees and Mets were among the teams supposedly interested in Montgomery, and it was reported this week that both were still interested in the left-handed pitcher.

Montgomery was drafted in the fourth round by the Yankees in 2014, and he made his professional debut in 2017. He was traded to St. Louis during the 2022 trade deadline in exchange for Harrison Bader, whom the Yankees placed on waivers in August 2023.

Montgomery joins a Diamondbacks team whose payroll will rise to a franchise record $167 million one season after winning the National League pennant and falling to the Rangers and Montgomery in the World Series.