The Astros announced that Rafael Montero has been outrighted to Triple-A Sugar Land after clearing waivers. Montero was designated for assignment earlier this week, and since Montero had more than enough MLB service time to reject the outright assignment in favor of free agency, today’s move indicates that the veteran righty voluntarily accepted the move down to the minor leagues.
Montero’s decision is akin to Jose Abreu also agreeing to be optioned to the minors earlier this season, though that transaction was just a straight demotion and not a DFA. Unfortunately for the Astros, there is further similarity in that both Abreu and Montero are well-paid veterans who have struggled badly since Opening Day 2023, leaving the Astros with a big chunk of essentially dead money on their payroll.
Initially coming to Houston in a trade with the Mariners in July 2021, Montero emerged as a force out of the Astros bullpen in 2022. Montero posted a 2.37 ERA in 68 1/3 innings for the World Series champions, serving as an ace setup man for closer Ryan Pressly and picking up some saves himself when Pressly was on the injured list. This big performance came in a contract year for Montero, and it paid off in the form of a three-year, $34.5MM free agent deal to return to the Astros.
Things have gone south for Montero since that deal was signed, as the right-hander has a 4.94 ERA over 105 2/3 since the start of the 2023 campaign. Opposing batters have been making a ton more hard contact against Montero’s offerings, and his strikeout rate has also plummeted even from 2023 to 2024. Montero’s 26.5K% in 2023 was still quite respectable, but his 14K% this year ranks only in the third percentile of all pitchers.
With Montero showing little sign of improvement, the Astros made the decision to finally designate him, and surely no club was going to make a waiver claim and therefore inherit the rest of the struggling reliever’s contract. Montero’s service time would’ve allowed him to retain all of that salary even if he had chosen to become a free agent, but he’ll instead head to Triple-A to see if he can get himself back on track. Since Montero is off the 40-man roster and is getting paid anyway, there’s no downside for the Astros or for the pitcher in taking this sojourn in the minors, as all parties will benefit if Montero can regain some form and re-emerge as a viable option in Houston’s pen. If things don’t turn around for Montero in Sugar Land, the Astros could just release him, as they ultimately did with Abreu.
Got paid for being a one year wonder
That was a very strong year. He was dominant. Wasn’t too surprised to see him sign for what he got. Thought he’d bump Pressly for the closer role. Be nice to see 2022 Montero again after retooling in Sugarland
He was outstanding in 2022. I hope the coaches can work out his issues and get him back in the pen. We need him at his best.
Another bad front office decision. Crane and Bagwell. One good year in 2022 and oh we have to sign this guy. Letting go of Neris, Maton etc. The decisions and the money. Not sure how much more we have of money with Montero. Abreu a lot too. I assume Montero is not on the 40 man roster. No one wanted him. Just like with the deadline time as well. At least he is in AAA. Maybe can work something’s out.
He was outrighted, which means you are correct–he is not on the 40-man roster anymore.
It was a dominant 2022 though
Astros Have a lot of salary in that bullpen next year with Hader, Montero, and Pressly just getting $14M after hitting his vesting option.
McCullers is getting a lot to not pitch, as well. He’s signed for 2 more years after this at an AAV of something like $15-20M.
I still remember when the Mets first called him up along with deGrom, and all of the hype was around Montero. Obviously a much different result (although deGrom’s injuries have put a shadow on his career.
I remember reading about his deal back in Fall 2022 on this site. Big contracts to relievers was trending then. Risky stuff. The Mets Diaz got his deal then too. Oof.
As long as he remains in the organization, does he have to be selected to the main roster by 8/31 to be eligible for the postseason or just being in the organization enough?
He would have to be on the 40 man roster, or the 60 day injured list or the restricted list (certain exceptions apply to the restricted list)
“Things have gone south for Montero”… Relievers are much like street walkers. You might date them once or twice in a pinch, but you certainly don’t want to marry them.
A man of culture speaking from experience?
No comment.
Shows me He is not trying to intentionally steal money, like many players. Good Luck to this move!
It’s a surprisingly classy move from Montero. Crane overpaid him and now he’s showing loyalty to the organization. I hope he fixes things and comes back this year.
“a ton more hard contact” sounds like his Mets days……
A big chunk of dead money on the payroll is the residue of success. For most teams who have a great season there is some loyalty to those who got you there.
Tampa Bay developed a pattern of “selling high” on their players without regard fan favoritism or rewarding performance during a previous winning season.
The Astros on the other hand were disastrous for years in a row meriting high first round and subsequent round picks. They rebuilt their team from worst to first in a short number of years.
But to stay there, they need to be more judicious handing out big contracts for previous performance, especially for relief pitchers. Abreu and Montero and McCullers and even Graveman are all older and breaking down. Over use. Diminishing skills. Whatever the cause, this isn’t the land of the Fountain of Youth.
They should have traded Pressley before he vested. It feels like he could join this list of dead money next year.
You make a lot of sense! Well said!
Rays fans are conditioned to cheering for the team and knowing that players will go away. Houston has let plenty of elite performers walk, but I don’t think the fanbase is supportive of selling high for prospects. It’s basically never happened since 2015.
The reality of the Astros payroll is that they have room for “mistake contracts,” but only so much. Eventually, when 100M is working against winning, there’s a problem. Tucker and Bregman are the next real test. They are franchise altering decisions and I don’t pretend to know what’s best. I love both guys, but don’t want another albatross.