While the Atlanta Braves managed to get most of the things they wanted to done this past offseason, it was still a bit odd to not see them add a starting pitcher. With some of their prospects having questions as to their 2025 viability and both Max Fried and Charlie Morton leaving, most thought that adding some sort of rotation depth was inevitable this past offseason, but the move never came.
That isn't to say that the Braves didn't TRY to add a starter this past offseason. They were among the finalists for Garrett Crochet before he landed with the Red Sox and other prominent starter free agents were connected to Atlanta over the course of the offseason as well as trade targets including Jordan Montgomery.
Potentially targeting Montgomery as a guy in need of a change of scenery with real upside had a lot of merit at the time. However, it appears as though the Braves dodged a bullet by not dealing for him as it was revealed on Tuesday that Montgomery needs Tommy John surgery.
Jordan Montgomery is getting Tommy John surgery pic.twitter.com/X7tuofDG7L
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) March 25, 2025
Braves did well to avoid nightmare situation after Jordan Montgomery Tommy John reveal
There were real reasons to not trade for Montgomery this past offseason including how much of his substantial salary the Diamondbacks were trying to get suitors to take on as well as the fact that he was pretty bad last year. Montgomery's previous track record was excellent, but it is hard to ignore a guy completely cratering when he is making $22.5 million in 2025.
It is entirely possible that the Braves suspected that something was amiss when Montgomery lost a tick on his fastball in 2024 and that prevented them from pursuing him too strongly. Whatever the reasoning for the Braves not going out and getting Montgomery, it seems to have worked out well for them.
Just like that, a guy that the Diamondbacks almost certainly had to trade before the season after their owner threw Montgomery under the bus is headed for the IL and they are going to be on the hook for all of his money with nothing to show for it. Had Arizona not been so stubborn in negotiations, this could have been the Braves problem. This time, things broke Atlanta's way when it comes to an injury.