3:45pm: Montero’s contract will pay him $1.3MM if he makes the 25-man roster, FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman reports (Twitter links). Another $1.7MM is also available to Montero in incentives.
1:35pm: The Nationals have signed veteran catcher Miguel Montero to a minor league deal and invited him to Major League Spring Training, tweets Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post. The Rep 1 Baseball client will compete with young Pedro Severino for a backup role in camp.
The 34-year-old Montero split the 2017 season between the Cubs and Blue Jays, hitting a combined .216/.310/.346 in 213 plate appearances. Of course, the nature of his departure from the Cubs organization was a larger story than his production at or behind the plate in 2017; following a late-June game when the Cubs’ opponent (coincidentally — the Nationals) ran amok on the basepaths, Montero publicly blasted starter Jake Arrieta for being slow to the plate and not giving him enough of a chance to throw out the opposing base thieves.
Unsurprisingly, the comments weren’t well received within the clubhouse or the front office, and Montero was designated for assignment the very next day despite the fact that he carried a strong .286/.366/.439 slash line at the time. Montero hooked on with the Blue Jays but floundered through 101 plate appearances, hitting just .138/.248/.241 through season’s end.
While he’s struggled at the plate in each of the past two seasons, Montero isn’t far removed from being a productive bat. In 2015 he served as Chicago’s primary backstop and hit .248/.345/.409 with 15 homers in 403 plate appearances, and his overall body of work from 2009-15 is solid: .265/.347/.421.
The Nats, of course, will hope his 2018 form more closely mirrors that solid seven-year run between the D-backs (where current Nats GM Mike Rizzo played a part in signing Montero) and the Cubs. Washington received a putrid year from 2016-17 offseason signee Matt Wieters, who batted just .225/.288/.344 with poor defensive ratings while earning $10.5MM in the first season of a two-year deal. Wieters had the opportunity to opt out of that deal and re-enter the free agent market, though he wisely forewent that option to remain in D.C. and earn another $10.5MM.
Montero and Severino will vie for at bats, as things currently stand, though the Nats could yet make a larger splash. Catcher has been a reported target for the team, and the Nats are said to have their eye on Marlins star J.T. Realmuto as a trade option. It’s possible that the Nats are kicking the tires on other trade targets as well, of course, and Jonathan Lucroy stands out as a prominent name that remains available on the open market.
Solid low risk move.
Until the blames the pitching staff for all the steals.
Ha
I didn’t like that whole situation, but he probably wasn’t far off base.
He does have a noodle arm. But also consider the fact that Willson Contreras has one of the best catcher arms in all of baseball and still managed to be one of the league leaders in stolen bases allowed. That’s saying a lot especially when you have a guy like Javier Baez at the other end.
There wasn’t anything wrong factually with what Montero said, but he never, ever should have said it. That’s an issue that stays in the clubhouse unless Arrieta himself or Joe Maddon decide to talk about it with reporters. Montero didn’t handle it the right way, but the Cubs did by quickly getting rid of him. That being said, Montero deserves a clean slate with the Nationals.
Having Jon Lester on the mound every 5th day has to account for several of those steals allowed..
Might have been finally tired of having to take the heat for all of the stolen bases and the reporters hounding him about it. As Popeye once said, “That’s all I can stands, cuz I can’t stands n’more!”
Having a guy like Baez on the other end? Please don’t tell me there is a defensive metric for catch and tag speed, I’m still trying to catch up to all the other fancy stats that are out there these days
But Lester is quick to the plate despite his struggle holding runners
he was 0-37 on at throwing out runners at the time. You don’t get there just from pitchers being a little slow to the plate.
At the time he was batting .286/.396/.439 with hour home runs and 8 RBI in 44 games — 112PA, good for 112+OPS. His 0.4 WAR wasn’t much to write home about, but still much better than most reserve catchers.
If Montero is to be believed; most of the blame falls on Arrieta, then actual number is: 0-for-30. Arrieta (Or Montero, depending on side you’re on) allowed 7 Stolen bases that fateful game, that led to events of Montero’s departure through DFA.
And didn’t he get an important hit, game 7 of the World Series? Cubs fans, help me out. Why do you think Montero’s DFA was justified, for saying this:
“It really sucked, having those stolen bases go to me. And when you look at it, the pitcher doesn’t give me any time…. My pitchers don’t hold anybody on.”
Is it because of what Anthony Rizzo said back:
“When you point fingers, you’re a selfish player. We have another catcher [Willson Contreras] that throws everybody out.”
si.com/mlb/2017/06/28/miguel-montero-chicago-cubs-…
Two negatives don’t make a right. Sounds to me Rizzo’s comments were more aggressive, and led to Montero’s departure since he was DFA by the Cubs, hours after Anthony Rizzo made those comments.
It was completely justified. There was more to the story. There were several other incidents of Montero popping off and not being a team player. That was just he final straw
Good depth move in case they can’t get one of the bigger targets at their price.
Smart pickup
They need Realmuto, Wieters is already backup caliber
Wieters is DFA caliber.. If he didn’t have that contract he would be gone already.. The guy hasn’t been the same since his TJS a few years back..
This is not the Nats catcher news I was hoping for, but I like the move.
they need JT!
LOL… This clubhouse cancer is the last thing the Nats need.
True, but in the end, he’ll most likely be in the (Syracuse) Chiefs’ clubhouse, not the Nats’ clubhouse.
Montero seems like the kind of guy who would ask for a release (and try to be a backup elsewhere) before reporting to AAA.
Yeah, I’d guess he has an opt-out shortly before the end of spring training if it looks like he won’t be making the 25-man roster
How’s he a clubhouse cancer?
Because he called out his teammates in public, when that’s a problem that should be handled with the coaches, and between his teammates, in private. Clubhouse cancer? Maybe not, but he hasn’t painted a great picture for himself.
Could be that he finally got tired of having to be the good guy and take the heat for Arrieta. Maybe he brought it up to the coaches and Arrieta and they were quite content with him taking the heat. Might have just finally had it with the reporters beating him on the lack of caught stealing number.
That doesn’t make him a clubhouse cancer. Lots of guys call out teammates and aren’t labeled that
I was not there but I can see Arietta telling Montero to go F himself. Montero probably did his best to help Jake but again I was not there. Sounds like Montero became frustrated with Jake.
Funny to see montero back with Adam Eaton. Montero called Eaton a clown when they were teammates in Arizona. Montero spoke publicly about not liking Eaton.
Definitely a Nationals type move.
Instead of going after Realmuto or Grandal or Lucroy they opt for possibly the cheapest option. Did the same thing with their pen last year.
They only happened to deal top LHSP prospect Luzardo and Neuse for Madson+Doolittle and also another intruiging SP prospect for Kintzler… Not exactly cheap
But we keep forgetting that Brad Hand guarantees championships, like you remind us in almost every Nationals related thread… Anyone who doesn’t pay whatever it takes to get him isn’t trying….
Also judging a minors deal is hilarious. this move means nothing regarding their potential moves for other catchers, its free insurance.
“Definitely a Nationals type move.”
Guess you’re thinking of ~ the same time last year, when the Nats acquired Derek Norriss rather than go after the more expensive Wieters.
“Instead of going after Realmuto or Grandal or Lucroy . . . “
Camps open yet? More than one thing can be true at the same time, bitr. It’s safe to assume the Nats are still trying to better their catching situation. If they succeed, Montero is a minor league depth piece, barring injury. Either way he’s cheap enough to keep around in case of an emergency.
I just hope the Nats are able to take a game or two from your Padres this year. I know they’ll have to score early as Brad Hand will not allow any oppo runs after the sixth inning. Has a relief pitcher won a Cy Young since Hernandez with the Tigers? That was back in 1984 iirc, you remember what happened in ‘84, right?
Pretty sure Eckersley won the Cy Young and MVP in the early 90’s sometime. I think Gagne juiced his way to a Cy Young as well. He might have been a runner-up though. Almost positive about Eckersley winning both awards in one year, because, I remember getting the baseball card from Topps, with it written across the face, in just about every pack I opened that year.
Damn. Forgot about Eck. OK, I looked it up and we both forgot Mark Davis and Steve Bedrosian. Also the year Gagne won Cy Young, Bonds was MVP. But not bad from memory.
Eckersley juiced his way to a Cy Young in 1992.
Got any evidence—or are we supposed to take your word for it? Wouldn’t assume that anyone was “clean” but have not heard/read Eck accused before.
majorflaw- I have no evidence on Eck in 1992. You don’t have to take my word for it. Believe what you want. To think on a team and in a league that was flooded with steroids, that the CY and MVP winner was “clean” is naive. No evidence on Brady Anderson or Luis Gonzalez that I know of either.
tycobb016
“To think on a team and in a league that was flooded with steroids, that the CY and MVP winner was “clean” is naive.”
As best I can tell this is your argument in support of your conclusion that Eckersley used steroids the year he won the CY.
Jeter, Bernie Williams and Mariano Rivera were teammates with Clemens, Pettitte and Arod yet there is no reason to believe the first three were anything but clean. There was nothing in particular which stood out with Eck that year. His body didn’t appear to change, his performance was (obviously) at its peak but nothing outside what could be projected with the correct usage and some luck.
Also, Eck wasn’t known as a gym rat. Simply taking PEDs without increasing your workouts is useless, they could more accurately be called TEDs as they enhance your recovery time and hence allow more intensive training—which presumably enhances performance.
“No evidence on Brady Anderson or Luis Gonzales that I know of either.”
I’m more familiar with the former. A good part of the evidence vs. Anderson is his performance itself. There is something unusual about a player who isn’t a HR hitter for his career yet hits 50+ in a season. Just like it’s odd for a player to have his career peak between ages thirty five and forty.
But it isn’t unusual for a good player or pitcher to have a career season in which he performs much better than his norm. That’s what career years are about. Was Roger Maris using when he hit sixty one in sixty one? Are you sure? He was teammates (and roommates) with known steroid user Mickey Mantle, do you really believe he didn’t share training “tips” with The Mick? How naive.
“Believe what you want.”
Odd as it may sound I try to stay away from “believing” things. Either a fact is supported by reasonable evidence or it isn’t. There is a reasonable amount of evidence in support of the conclusion that Barry Bonds used, even if you do not share that conclusion. There is a reasonable amount of evidence which supports the conclusion that Clemens used, even if you don’t share that conclusion. There is no evidence that Eck used, your rationalization, which can be reduced to simple guilt by association, is particularly incompetent and unfair.
Fair enough sir. Jose said 85% were using. Pedro said he believes 60=65% were using. Eric said there are users in the HOF. In your world Ortiz is clean. the coffinnail said he thinks Gagne juiced his way to a CY. You let that one go. I believe almost every player did. Mickey and Roger and Willie and Hank all used. I also think Bonds and Schilling and Palmeiro and Co. should be in the HOF. I would have voted OJ guilty.
“Jose said 85% were using.”
Even if he were accurate he didn’t accuse Eck, did he?
“In your world Ortiz is clean.”
Where’d you get that from? Ortiz failed a drug test, no? I have no problem with accusing someone who failed a drug test of using drugs.
“Eric said there are users in the HOF”
Well, as aforesaid, there’s no question Mantle used and he’s in. Without naming more recent inductees, odds that a couple of them at least dabbled in chemistry is pretty good.
“the coffinail said he thinks Gagne juiced his way to a CY. You let that one go.”
Because I don’t have anything useful to say. Didn’t follow the Trolley Dodgers and can neither confirm nor deny that Gagne used or even my suspicions. Just note that the accusation was bereft of evidence.
“I believe almost every player did.”
You can believe anything you like. There is no evidence that “most” players used PEDs. IIRC, the original, allegedly anonymous, test had a failure rate greater than 5% (which triggered wider testing) but well less than half. And that should be the worst case. If all or most players were using wouldn’t the player’s association have placed greater emphasis on avoiding testing?
“Mickey and Roger and Willie and Hank all used.”
You’re accusing Mays and Aaron of using PEDs? Any evidence vs. either— or just more guilt by association? And we aren’t talking about using greenies here.
“I also think Bonds and Schilling and Palmeiro and Co. should be in the HOF.”
I ceased caring about the HoF when Marvin Miller died. The hypocritical cowards in Cooperstown were so afraid of what that ninety year old man would say at his induction that they decided to leave him out. I don’t care who’s in and who’s out of the HoF, it’s not nearly the honor it should be.
“I would have voted OJ guilty.”
There was enough evidence vs. OJ to convict five people of capital murder. The “OJ is innocent” crowd are and were completely clueless. Not the same thing as arguing for/against the idea that someone stuck a needle in his butt based on results. OJ was and is about as guilty as one can be, which makes him perfect for the NFL HoF, of which (I believe) he remains a member in good standing.
Read Willie Mays book. in it he talks about the energy juice his doctor would give him. Mantle got injected improperly by a quack and it cost him the rest of the season. There are many PEDs a player can take. Alot of players get doctor prescriptions for Attention Deficit Disorder and that works real good and you dont have to live in a gym. My guess, only a guess MLB is probably like NFL in that there is an acceptable level. And Eric wasn’t talking about Mantle, he was talking about recently inducted HOFs. You keep asking me for evidence but when thecoffinnail stated Gagne juiced you didnt ask for evidence. You should take what MLB says about testing with a grain of salt. Not trying to change your mind on anything. I’ll give you the last word .
And if Mickey can influence Roger then why cant Clemens and Petite and ARod influence Jeter Rivera Williams? Those Yankee teams were loaded with juicers. Of course Jeter Rivera Williams used. Where is your common sense?
I hope the nats sweep the padres. 2018 is the last year before we see dividends on the rebuild. Be nice to gwt the 1st or 2nd overall pick in 2019.
With half the Padres being Rule 5 picks, it shouldn’t be hard. Rizzo can send AJ a thank you basket for sending him Trea Turner.
No point getting the top pick in the draft as Preller will just blow it on a Tim Beckham-type player. Fans of every NLW team praised Allah when the Padres signed him to an extension. Crippling a team with an incompetent GM is even more ruinous than a small-market team signing an overpriced player with an anchor contract. Oh wait, that’s what the Padres are doing with AJ and Hosmer!!
Preller is far from an incompetent GM. He has been building up the Padres farm very nicely over the past few years. And the Padres have not signed Hosmer yet. The Royals probably have a better shot of resigning him at this point.
Saying that, I’m with the armchair GM. I could see them ending up with another top 10 pick after this season, though it will be nice if it’s top 5 or better.
You’re right. Any GM that actually trades for Matt Kemp the player, is much, much worse than incompetent. He’s criminally stupid? But hey, keep trading those Trea Turner and Was Grandal quality players. and building your franchise around Will Myers and Brad Hand. I’m sure it’ll work out for you. From every Dodgers fan to AJ, we say thanks and keep up the good work.
They either need to get JT or Lucroy, two backup type catchers in weiters and montero won’t do the job.
Miguel is a stud and team leader while with the cubs. He spoke his mind about that issue with Arrieta – who might not even sign with the cubs again – and was let go! A lot left on Montero’s tank…
Miguel Montero was let go, over Cubs “unwritten rules”? Lol
Junior Lake was booted from Cub town also for flipping his bat and yelling at a pitcher a few years ago. Theo and Joe were not happy.
Organizational Depth.
JT asnd Lance Lynn = World series Champs!
So.. the Nationals have been viewed as a dark horse in Arrieta’s market. Does this change anything, is Arrieta over it, or do they just promise him to only have Weiters catch him?
Doesn’t stop them from adding anything more and a good depth piece.
Guess this removes the Nats from the Arrieta sweepstakes
LOL! Wonter if Montero would ask for his release if he had to catch Arrieta again??
This could very well turn out to be the minor league signing of the year. Nats fans are still hoping for Realmuto but Montero is a very solid back-up plan. He had a bad 2016 but he was having a great 2017 until he was traded. Since, he is a catcher I wouldn’t be surprised if he spent those few months with Toronto trying to learn how to catch their pitching staff instead of studying the opposing pitchers so he could actually hit in his new league. Regardless, the guy has had some monster months in April (.394/.429/.606 last year) so maybe, if he is the only catcher they sign, he will make Wieters feel like his starting job is threatened and he will start hitting like his old self. Because, we all know Wieters has too big of an ego to sign a minor league deal for 2019, so, he will already be playing for a new contract. Montero going after his starting job could get him hitting like an all-star again.
Just my 2 cents.. I have liked Montero since his Arizona days though..
Why!
This guy loves pasta!
He easily, by a wide margin, has the worst throwing arm in the majors. Probably the minors too. For some reason, he just cannot throw the ball.
I think it says something that Dave Martinez didn’t, to our knowledge, have a problem with this move. Martinez worked with Miggy for 2.5 seasons, including when Miggy was released, when he was the Cubs bench coach.
Only a minor league deal? That’s bs.
We don’t need Realmuto. We’ll just sign Montero.