The Rangers have reportedly agreed to a minor-league pact with right-hander Rafael Montero. The Roster Roundup site indicated a deal was in place, with Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News citing a source who indicated Montero had indeed signed.
Once a top prospect with the Mets, Montero is still working back from Tommy John surgery. He’ll also be looking to get his career on track after running into difficulties in transitioning to the majors.
Montero has already thrown 192 1/3 innings at the game’s highest level, most of which came in 2017, but carries only a 5.38 cumulative ERA. He has averaged nearly a strikeout per inning in the bigs, but also has surrendered 5.2 free passes per nine. There were some positives in 2017, as Montero worked in the 94 mph range with his average fastball and produced a healthy 48.1% groundball rate.
Now 28 years of age, and rehabbing a TJ procedure from last March, Montero will not be at full health in time for compete for a job in camp. But he ought to be ramping up for a return to action by the middle of the upcoming season and could certainly put himself on the radar of the pitching-needy Rangers if he’s able to rediscover some of his former promise.
another useless signing By Daniels
Everyteam makes moves like this for depth.. are Yuforreal?
Useless comment is more like it
it’s really not that great of a depth signing when the guy being signed isn’t healthy and can’t pitch until mid year
Most teams make these signings as a way to give depth to the organization and use as trade chips at the deadline
You are wrong
Another usless comment by Yuforreal.
You have been submitted for a 3 day commenting ban. If approved, enjoy your keyboard vacation.
Downvotes applied.
It’s called buying low on an investment. Makes perfect sense. It’s low risk, possible good return
I wish we had 5 more.
I think it’s a very good signing you never kno
I like the uniformity of Montero’s .047/.047/.047 batting line.
Your use of slashes are a nice touch. Contrasts the round zeros well. Martha Stewart approves. Upvoted.
I would love to see a breakdown of the historical success rate of these bounceback pitcher signings.
What’s the success rate ya think? 5%?
And this isn’t to criticize the signing. I’m genuinely curious.
If healthy, Montero could be a nice pickup for Texas. He showed good control and command through the upper minors (even in Las Vegas) and flashed potential for the Mets from time to time. The bloated BB/9 in the majors could have been related to some shoulder issues he had prior to the TJS as well. I think he’s a decent long relief option for a team that may use some “openers” this year and next. Let him air it out for 4 innings and see what happens.
Mets fan here, this guy was a stud in the minors, never quite replicated on the mlb, before he got hurt he did put together a string of good to decnt outtings but then he got hurt. Who knows maybe he was pitching hurt hence the results, hopefully he comes back strong i had really high hopes for Rafael good luck in tixassss
Good luck raffy- crazy to think you and deGrom came up together and he was supposed to go to the pen.
The baseball gods are a fickle bunch.
All the best,
Yes, Montero was the one that the fans were excited about. deGrom was an unknown. Amazing.
garbage rangers are garbage
He was a minor league signing. How could this possibly be a “bad” thing? Nevermind fickle baseball gods. What about fickle baseball fans!?
The Rangers has one of the greatest young lineups in Baseball however when you continue to put pitchers on the mound who are mediocre at best, it will ultimately steal the enthusiasm of a young player. There is some very highly qualified aces out there we should go after,and at least sign two of them and allow this young team to have a hope for the 2019 season. Personally, Daniels need to be replaced with someone who actually has a vision for the future.
Yikes. “One of the greatest tough lineups in baseball” is quite the stretch.
Young*
I remember my first beer…
I hope someday we quit being bottom feeders and become relevant again .