by PHOENIX – Left-hander Jordan Montgomery exercised his $22.5 million option with the Arizona Diamondbacks, while the team exercised options to retain third baseman Eugenio Suárez and right-hander Merrill Kelly through 2025, according to reports.
Joc Pederson has reportedly declined his $14 million mutual option, will receive a $3 million buyout and become a free agent.
Montgomery, 31, signed a one-year contract worth $25 million last March but fell short of the high price tag, finishing 8-7 with a 6.23 ERA over 117 innings. The poor performance drew the ire of D-backs owner Ken Kendrick after the season.
Montgomery’s option would have increased to $25 million if he had made 23 starts – he finished with 21. The option brings the total amount of his deal to $47.5 million.
Suárez was a key figure for the Diamondbacks and had one of the best seasons of his career, hitting .256 with 30 home runs and 101 RBIs. He will make $15 million next season as part of a deal he signed with the Reds in 2018, bringing his contract value to $79 million over eight years.
Kelly, 36, battled a shoulder injury for much of last season but was good when he pitched, finishing 5-1 with a 4.03 ERA. He will make $7 million next season, making his contract worth $24 million over three seasons.
The left-handed Pederson hit well against right-handed pitching last season and finished with 23 home runs, hitting in the middle of the pack. Including the buyout, he earned $12.5 million during his year in Arizona.
