The Diamondbacks have interest in signing catcher Miguel Montero to a long-term deal, MLB.com's Steve Gilbert reported yesterday. Managing general partner Ken Kendrick mentioned the idea, though negotiations have not begun. Montero would like to sign long-term.
Montero, 26, played his first full season in '09 and posted an excellent .294/.355/.478 line in 470 plate appearances. His progress makes Chris Snyder expendable. If Snyder comes back successfully from back surgery, the D'Backs will be one of very few teams with two legitimate starting catchers.
Montero will earn $2MM in 2010, his first arbitration year. The D'Backs will presumably want to buy out his '11 and '12 arb years and a free agent season or two. Instead of using the more expensive contracts of Snyder and Ryan Doumit as comparables, perhaps the D'Backs will look at more recent deals for Chris Iannetta and Carlos Ruiz as models. Both players gave up their arbitration years more cheaply and allowed for club options on their first free agent seasons.
I love that the Dbacks want extentions for Upton, Reynolds, and Montero.
I want to see the big three together in Sedona Red for a long, long time.
I’m a fantasy D-Backs whore…I have Montero, Upton and Reynolds on my team, with Haren and Webb as well. This is a good young team in the field and a better one on paper. See you guys in the NLCS!
If the D-Backs lock all three of them up they will have an extremely potent offense for a long time. Upton carried my fantasy team through several weeks and Montero was a pleasant suprise off the waiver. Unfortunately I didnt complete the trifecta with Reynolds. But like I said, the D-Backs have some really good young players. I could see them challening for the AL West title.
I’ve been following Montero for the past few years, and snagged him for $1 in my NL-only league last season. Great season and great keeper.