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Free agent pitcher Jordan Montgomery has reportedly found his new home, inking a deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Jordan Montgomery Signs with Diamondbacks

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the deal will cover the 2024 season, paying Montgomery $25 million. MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reports that the contract also comes with vesting options, which could escalate the value of the deal to $25 million in 2025.

Impact on the Cubs

Even though Montgomery will be heading to the desert, the move still could have some impact on the Cubs. According to Fangraphs, the Cubs were projected to have one fewer win than the Diamondbacks heading into the day Tuesday, and that number will likely change.

Cubs' Missed Opportunity

In addition to strengthening a wild card rival (one that beat the Cubs in six out of seven games down the stretch last season to help dash Chicago’s playoff hopes), the move also represents somewhat of a missed opportunity for the Cubs, who will be without Jameson Taillon at the start of the season and who will be relying on Jordan Wicks and Javier Assad to make a significant number of starts.

Luxury Tax Considerations

That being said, the move would have pushed the Cubs over the MLB luxury tax threshold, with their estimated tax hit currently sitting at $231 million. If the Cubs exceed that mark by more than $20 million, they would not only have to pay a 20% penalty on all money they exceed the tax by, but an additional 12% surcharge, according to MLB rules.

Future Prospects

What's more, the Cubs will likely see either Ben Brown or Cade Horton make their way up to the rotation this season, and both highly-touted prospects could end up becoming integral parts of the team’s pitching staff in coming seasons.