TUESDAY: Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic spoke to GM Dave Stewart, who characterized talks for Montero as due diligence rather than shopping the catcher. However, Piecoro also spoke with a source from a rival club and got the same sense that Rosenthal did: “They’ve definitely put him out there.”
Stewart stressed to Piecoro that the D’Backs aren’t interested in strictly dumping salary and added that any move the team makes “has to better our rotation.”
Piecoro speculates that the Cubs, White Sox and Rangers could be interested in taking on Montero. The Cubs have previously expressed interest in Montero, he writes, also adding that Cubs president Theo Epstein tried to land Montero back when he was still GM of the Red Sox as well.
SUNDAY: The Diamondbacks are considering trades for catcher Miguel Montero, FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reports. A D’Backs official says the team is in “listening mode” for offers while rival teams say Arizona is openly shopping Montero’s services.
Montero has three years and $40MM remaining on the five-year, $60MM extension he signed with the D’Backs in May 2012. After posting a .798 OPS over the first seven years of his career, Montero’s hitting has dropped off, as the catcher has only posted a .237/.324/.358 slash line in 1035 PA since the start of the 2013 season. You’ll note that large number of plate appearances for a catcher; as Rosenthal mentions, Montero has played more games behind the plate than any other catcher over the last four seasons.
This wear-and-tear could have contributed to Montero’s offensive decline and some teams could therefore be wary of acquiring the 31-year-old, or he could be seen as a rebound candidate if he gets more regular rest, Rosenthal observed. While Montero has posted negative Defensive Runs Saved totals in each of the last three seasons, he is still considered one of baseball’s best pitch-framers.
The Diamondbacks would be looking to create some extra payroll space by moving Montero, though Rosenthal speculates that the team may have to cover some of his remaining salary and the D’Backs would need to find a replacement catcher since they don’t have any Major League-ready catching options in reserve. With a very thin free agent catching market outside of Russell Martin, however, you’d expect Montero to attract some interest from teams looking to upgrade behind the plate.
Also from Rosenthal’s piece, the Diamondbacks have received a lot of calls about Wade Miley and A.J. Pollock, though the team isn’t interested in moving either player. Chris Owings and Didi Gregorius, meanwhile, continue to draw attention from clubs looking for middle infield help.
Miguel Montero for Pedro Baez, Drew Butera and Matt MaGill. Thoughts?
I don’t see it. The Dodgers would have to WAY overpay for Montero. The Dbacks would be running the risk of having him destroy them 19 times a year.
He’s a better player than his numbers show the last couple years.
At this point the only thing Montero will destroy are fans’ expectations. Not worth trading for him.
I don’t see him getting traded within the division. Why not sign Russell Martin?
Was just a thought. An okay return and salary relief for the D-Backs and a offensively solid catcher for the Dodgers. Would be less money, similar offensive value then Martin.
The teams I could see making a run at him for the right price would be the Pirates (if they can’t resign Martin) the Rangers, Astros, Mariners, Blue Jays, Cubs, and possibly the White Sox
The Phillies have Carlos Ruiz locked up for 2 more years, why would the want him? Astros have Jason Castro and hes too expensive for the Pirates. (Owed 40M over next 3 years.) If the Pirates were going to drop 40M on a catcher they might as well go after Martin.
My main reason for saying the Phillies was if they were able to move Howard they could move Ruiz to first because he’s getting up there in age but I realized that was not plausable so I switched them out for the white sox. If the Diamondbacks eat a bit of money Montero could be a much cheaper option then Martin which is why I said the Pirates and finally Castro has left a lot to be desired and I don’t think he is going to be the long term answer for Houston at catcher.
Well, there’s the flaw in your argument right there–even if the Phillies ate 99.9% of his contract, Ryan Howard is unmovable.
Montero is so pricey, the Pirates would be better off just ponying up the extra dough to keep Martin.
Even if the price for Martin gets bid up to around 75 million? That would be about 35m more then Montero and that’s if the Diamondbacks eat absolutely nothing out of his contract.
Sox are not a fit. Tyler flowers is cheaper and had better numbers
Astros have Castro?
I honestly don’t view Castro as a very good player and I think Montero would provide some stability at the position for the next few years.
Just taking a brief look at their numbers, it looks as if Montero is not much of an improvent unless he returns to 2012 form (Castro’s 2013 was still better). He would actually be a downgrade based on WAR from the past two years.
Most of that WAR came from Castros 2013 season but 2014 was a pretty big disappointment for him with a walk rate at around 7% compared to 10% for Montero and his strikeout rate 29% to 17%. Castros numbers declined across the board and Montero although he isn’t the best could improve the production from an offensive standpoint.
I can see the Cubs getting in the mix but AZ would likely have to take Edwin Jackson in the swap and toss in cash in the 10-15 million range to even out the money. Jackson and wellington Castillo for Montero a B level prospect and cash might work for both teams.
Why would anyone give up a possible top 10 catcher in the league for EJax? Even if Montero is hitting .230 with pop hes still way better in value than Jackson. Doesn’t seem like they are trying to get a complete salary dump. Maybe you could make a package around Castillo though.
Cubs won’t take on that salary in trade unless the D-Backs take salary back. The D-Backs need SP help and they would get a young catcher still relatively inexpensive and controllable for 3 years through arbitration. Montero is 31 and his offensive numbers have declined each of the past 3 seasons. Do you really believe you can get a premium for him?
Jackson doesn’t have significant value, Montero does. The Cubs are choking on money, their just cash poor. Cubs give them a catcher who is a downgrade and a pitcher who can’t hold a rotation spot and somehow they should give them a pile of cash?
That’s the thing – Montero doesn’t have significant value.
That said, Jackson has negative value – teams are better off without him and his contract than with him. So the idea of Castillo who has a little value plus Jackson who has big negative value for Montero (and a B prospect??) is ridiculous
No, but you can do better then a terrible starting pitcher and a 27 year old catcher who had a .296 OBP last year.
sure how about Kris Bryant and Addison Russell for Montero?
Only if the Cubs take the money too.
Just because someone proves how wrong you are doesn’t mean you need to be super sarcastic. Obviously Montero is not worth those two prospects but what you proposed was just ridiculous
The Diamondbacks need GOOD starting pitching. They’ve already tried EJax. It didn’t go well in AZ for him.
That seems extremely Cub friendly. Why would they take on Edwin Jackson and a sub-.300 OBP catcher that will be 28 next season for a guy that was considered one of the best catchers out there only a couple years ago AND a top 10 prospect?
Arizona wants to shed some payroll while getting a moderate prospect back. Your proposal would do neither.
I advocated for a B level prospect-that is a 15-25 guy on the org depth chart.
AZ may want to do that but how many teams will take on a 31 year old catcher with 3 years $40 million left on the contract, eat that money AND GIVE UP A PROSPECT?
Who is looking for a catcher? Rockies? won’t take on the money, weak farm system. Maybe Boston? likely won’t take that money unless they can get a SP piece like Wade Miley too. Dodgers? could take the money on but would you trade in the division to a team you are trying to catch? Pirates? may as well over pay and keep Russell Martin-then you don’t have to give up a prospect. White Sox? not sure they would want to add that payroll for one guy who isn’t a difference maker at this point. Also a thin farm system. Shall I go on? Unlikely AZ is going to get big pieces back for a “possible” top 10 catcher on the wrong side of 30 with lots of money on his contract.
3/40 is not nearly as awful as you make it sound. Probably wouldn’t be far off from what he’d get on the open market. Still, they’d be more likely to eat a little bit to get something back rather than take on Jackson, which accomplishes nothing at all. In a market that really only has one starting catcher, teams in need will be happy to take on Montero. Nobody will be happy to take Jackson. Especially if you want them to give up an additional prospect just to take on another bad contract. How in the world are the Diamondbacks better off with Wellington Castillo and Edwin Jackson as opposed to Miguel Montero plus one a prospect?
well…they get younger and cheaper behind the plate. They get a guy who at least is an option for the rotation and they have traded away a ton of SP depth the last few years. New management also moves a guy for whom the old regime considered a cornerstone-so they can put a stamp on the team as their own going forward.
The truth is the Cubs aren’t trading big prospects AND taking on salary. Theo has said so several times. They will go hard after Russell Martin first and just pay him, no prospects to give up. If they miss, Montero could make sense but they aren’t going to “sell out” for a 31 year old catcher on the downside of his career.
You seem to be missing the fact that there are other teams that can trade for him. If the Cubs don’t want to trade a prospect and only want a contract swap, fine. There are 28 other teams that can take a look at him and one of them will be willing to trade prospects. Your offer was horrific on the side of Arizona. Your bias is getting in the way. As a third party fan, I can tell you that Arizona will not consider that offer.
Not about Bias-it’s about understanding what the Cubs will and will not do. They won’t be trading prospects for a 31 year old catcher on the down side. Let someone else overpay in talent. If the DBacks can get a big return elsewhere-go for it. By the way, 28 teams isn’t the Montero market. Plenty have catchers that are better than Montero. A handful won’t want him because they aren’t close enough to winning to take a veteran catcher. A handful won’t want that contract-regardless of how much money the DBacks put in the deal. So how many teams are really in play for Montero? 4 or 5?
All it takes is 1
The Dbacks actually has more SP depth than most teams in the league. Their issue is that all their SP are #4-5 guys. Edwin would just add to that
Why would Boston need a catcher they have the best catching prospect in Blake Swihart a year away.
Plus Vasquez threw out 51% of runners. No thanks
It depends on the system but a B level prospect is more like a #4 or #5 guy. A guy that’s 15-25 on the depth chart is either a C- or D+.
Sickels has released his grade breakdown for the Twins. B Prospects were ranked from 5 to 8… and the Twins have an excellent system.
LOL, why would the Dbacks do that?
I swear, both Cubs and Phily fans are crazy with their ‘trade proposals’
Red sox fans and any Stanton trade proposal says hello
Travis Wood for Montero? *Edwin Jackson has negative value at this point*
I can see Beef and Montero splitting the catching duties for the next few seasons. Keeps their knees as fresh as possible.
Also, the only things I see happening with Edwin Jackson is either he gets released unless he has a STELLAR spring training or even if he has the best spring training in history, a pitching starved and desperate team might for trade him for a few low level prospects so they can have a temporary “patch”.
As a Dbacks fan I like how Toronto matches up. Good young pitching. It could turn into a bigger deal as well if the Blue Jays want an MI back.
I don’t think it would net Norris,Sanchez or Pompey, but I’d like to see Owings and Montero go to Toronto. The Jays have plenty of young arms to make it happen.
Anyone else see a potential match with the Red Sox here? Sox are heavily right-handed, and need a catcher. Montero is a catcher, and a lefty bat. Plus, I think he’d enjoy a bit of a resurgence with the bat in Fenway. Dunno what it would take to get him, but I think there could definitely be a fit there.
I was thinking that as well however, I think the Red Sox are interested in seeing how Vasquez does behind the plate. It’s certainly an idea they can think about but, I’m more inclined to think the money Montero is making would be better spent elsewhere for the Sox, like getting Headley or Sandoval. As for his trade value, I could see him bringing back a decent reliever, or maybe a pitching prospect. Nothing special though, he hasn’t been worth his contract the past two years, so his value is at an all-time low.
I don’t see it. the Redsox have the best overall catching prospect in Blake Swihart a year away. They have the young defensive gifted Christian Vasquez holding it down for now. They need a cheap 1 year backup for Vasquez
Nope. The Redsox have the best overall catching prospect Blake Swihart in the minors. They have the defensive gifted Christian Vasquez holding it over until Swihart’s ready (another year). They need a cheap backup 1 year catcher to back up Vasquez for now. They don’t need an expenive aging catcher when they have 2 top younger guys in Swihart and Vasquez
I think the Sox would definitely look into Montero if the price was right. I’m big on Swihart as well and like Vazquez’ s defense but having a veteran catcher is helpful, especially one that can play defense and call a game. I don’t think the Red Sox would part with much value but I could see Montero making sense.
Montero is making a lot money. The redsox view Vasquez as the everyday catcher for now until Swihart is ready. The sox have bigger needs than a backup catcher that makes 12mil a year
Well if they acquired him, he would not be a backup. He would be a starter. I’m not saying it’s a no brainer move but he is a veteran with good pitch framing skills, relative health, and a close to average bat. I have mixed feelings about a possible acquisition as well. I’ve seen plenty of Swihart (and Vasqez) up here in Portland. I really like Swihart but am wary of going into the season without a proven backstop. Vasquez is the starter as it stands but as good as of a defenseless he is his bat is limited. If they can find a decent complement to Vasquez on the cheap fine. I just don’t know who that would be. We need veterans and left-handed bats somewhere and Montero’s skills would fit well. His price tag is not obscene by any means and if Swihart is ready in July everything will work itself out.
Montero for Tyler Flowers, John Danks
How did I guess that a sox fan would say trade flowers for him. Flowers is an all around better catcher and he is cheaper. Look at the stats Montero is falling.
Montero for the Danks brothers.
When discussing contracts here for 2014’s top free agents, one might want to keep Mr. Montero in mind. I’m sure that 2 years ago his 5 year contract looked reasonable. Now his team is going to have to assume as much as 1/2 of it to give him away.
Baseball is a young man’s game – always has been, always will be. It’s all about drafting, acquiring, and developing young talent. Bringing most players up between ages 23-26 and having control of them for 6 years at a reasonable cost. At that point, be prepared to lose most of them rather then pay the free agency cost, and look to your farm system to replenish the roster with more young players as the young veterans you have take on more responsibility. The Cardinals do that. The Braves used to, and are going through a restructuring so they can again. About 15 years ago Bill James wrote that most players peak by age 30. I didn’t agree with it then, but but I’m come around to his research. And he wasn’t even taking into consideration the high salaries players get in free agency.
The Diamondbacks just need to compliment Montero with Soto. Have Montero play against RHP and Soto against LHP.
That was my platoon in 2k08. It worked perfectly
Food for thought. Miguel Montero made more $$ than Paul Goldschmidt this season.
Additional food for thought: Madison Bumgarner made $3.75 million last year.
I wouldn’t want to take Montero over Flowers, let alone give up a valuable piece to get him. The Sox don’t have a tradeable starter anyway.
With 3/40 remaining on his contract I have a hard time seeing how trading Montero will better the rotation. Over the past two seasons Montero has produced bellow average offense and his defense has been declining.
There’s a reason Az wants to move him: Quickly declining veteran with a fat contract. No one’s giving a top 100 for this guy. Maybe a B prospect and a mediocre veteran.
Montero is a good catcher but he is not the best catcher. Yadier Molina is the best catcher in baseball if you asked me