Ex-Marlins president ranks D-backs' Ken Kendrick a "top 5 meddling owner," says Jordan Montgomery should be "genuflecting towards Scott Boras"
On Wednesday, ex-Miami Marlins president David Samson discussed D-Backs owner Ken Kendrick's recent comments about starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery. Samson presided over the Marlins from 2002 to 2017, and orchestrated the franchise's 2003 World Series win.
Montgomery ended the 2024 season with a 6.23 ERA while struggling for most of the year. After advocating for the 31-year-old's signing, Kendrick later stated it was "a horrible decision to have invested that money in a guy that performed as poorly as he did." Montgomery signed a $47.5 million deal with Florida before the 2024 campaign.
On the October 2 episode of Nothing Personal with David Samson, Samson labeled Kendrick as one of MLB's most intrusive owners.
"If you would ask me to make a list of meddling owners, I would say there's 30 (all of them), 100% no matter what anyone tells you." [0:44]
"If you ask me to give you the top five meddling owners, I would have Ken Kendrick on that list, in the top five. Ken Kendrick is incredibly involved, and I know that first hand." [0:50]
Later in the video, Samson discussed Jordan Montgomery's split with agent Scott Boras. Montgomery fired his agent in April, as the starting pitcher reportedly felt Boras cost him a better contract. Samson ranted about the situation, saying Montgomery should be thankful for the deal Boras landed him with the D-Backs.
"Jordan Montgomery fired Scott Boras, thinking he should have gotten more guaranteed money and a better deal. It turns out, you ought to be genuflecting towards Scott Boras that he got anyone to pay him anything, because he stinks." [5:38]
D-backs miss out on playoff berth after late-season collapse
The Arizona Diamondbacks became a force just after the All Star break. With Corbin Carroll, Joc Pederson, Josh Bell, Eugenio Suarez and Ketel Marte leading the way, the D-backs were among the most exciting offensive teams in the majors as summer heated up.
However, Marte's ankle injury midway through August became a major hitch in the team's plans. After leading the NL wildcard for much of the second half of the season, losses in late August and throughout September saw the D-backs' playoff hopes fade.
Needing a big final month, the Diamondbacks went 13-13. After winning their final regular season outing, Arizona's postseason fortunes rested on either the Mets or Braves sweeping their Monday doubleheader. Perhaps predictably, the sides split the series, ensuring both made the wildcard as the D-backs were left out.