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Miguel Montero

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Sheffield, Rays, Red Sox, Yankees

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On this date 43 years ago, Tom Seaver signed with the Mets for a $50K signing bonus. Seaver originally agreed to a deal with the Braves, but the contract was voided due to Seaver's status as an amateur at USC. After being ruled ineligible at USC, and the Braves were forbidden from signing Seaver, any team willing to match the original $50K signing bonus were included in a lottery for the rights to the future hall-of-famer. The Phillies, Indians and Mets literally had their names placed in a cap and the Mets were selected. The regular season is only days away and inevitably a former Mets pitcher will throw a no-hitter. Let's see what is being written in the Blogosphere…

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here.

Rosenthal On Jeter, Jenkins, Keppinger

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Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports posted a new column last night.

  • Rosenthal wonders if the eventual emergence of Yankees shortstop prospects Ramiro Pena and Eduardo Nunez will prompt the team to ask Derek Jeter to change positions in the future.  Neither player ranked among the Yankees' top 30 prospects in the Baseball America 2009 Handbook, however.  Jeter's current contract runs through 2010.
  • Rosenthal says Boston's talks for catchers Miguel Montero and Jarrod Saltalamacchia "remain stalled because of those clubs' respective asking prices."
  • Rosenthal believes the Phillies are unlikely to trade Geoff Jenkins or Matt Stairs.
  • The Reds are considering trading infielder Jeff Keppinger, and Rosenthal wonders if the Astros would be a fit.  He also speculates on Juan Uribe for Houston. John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer talked about the Keppinger possibility on Friday.

Red Sox Still Looking For A Catcher

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According to ESPN's Peter Gammons:

The Red Sox say the backup/Tim Wakefield catching job has been won by George Kottaras, but they are still looking for another catcher. The Diamondbacks, who would like another starting pitcher, continue to insist on Michael Bowden for Miguel Montero, and Boston GM Theo Epstein still won't trade Bowden.

Montero, 25, hit .255/.330/.435 last year in 207 plate appearances as Chris Snyder's backup.  He threw out 18.2% of attempted base-stealers.  Meanwhile Bowden, 22, tossed 144.3 innings in the minors last year with a 2.62 ERA.  Baseball America called him "a safe bet with a good chance to become a No.3 starter."

Red Sox Catching: Bard, Montero, Kottaras

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Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe has a wrap-up of the Red Sox’ catching situation heading into the beginning of the 2009 season.

Even after signing Jason Varitek, the Red Sox were rumored to have been continuing their pursuit of a trade for a young catcher. In today’s article, Massarotti writes that at the beginning of Diamondbacks camp, Miguel Montero was informed that "no deals were imminent." Instead, it appears the Red Sox will stick with Josh Bard for now.

However, Massarotti also mentions another interesting in-house option for the Red Sox in George Kottaras. Massarotti summarizes Kottaras’ situation:

Kottaras is out of options and could be a threat to beat out Bard, though the more likely scenario is that the Red Sox are trying to increase Kottaras’ trade value so that they do not simply lose him on waivers.

It’s probably going to be ’Tek and Bard on Opening Day. We’ll see if the Red Sox end up acquiring, or even trading away, any young catchers in the meantime.

Jason Varitek Rumors: Thursday

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7:58pm: Alex Speier of WEEI provides us with a Varitek-relevant quote from Curt Schilling’s appearance on the Big Show:

“I’ve talked with Jason a couple different times about this. I think there’s probably some discussion going on around the parameters of a deal since it was put on the table. In fact, I know there (has been). I think you’re going to end up with a deal that nets Jason the $10 million over two years, somehow guaranteed or tied into some incentives, that keeps him here, or I think he might end up taking the one-year deal. I’m not positive, but at the end of the day I think it’s going to be Jason Varitek catching for the Boston Red Sox, which is really all I care about."

5:01pm: Former teammate Sean Casey had this to say on the MLB Network Thursday:

"I’d be shocked if ’Tek doesn’t come back to Boston. The fans love him there. The guys in that clubhouse love ’Tek. I can’t imagine Jason Varitek putting on a uniform besides the Boston Red Sox. I saw him a few weeks ago. I know he wants to come back to the Red Sox. So I hope they get that done. I think it would be good for both sides, no doubt about it, especially that pitching staff."

3:50pm: Varitek faces a Friday morning (8:30am) deadline, says Tony Massarotti.  Massarotti’s source adds that Varitek is "very seriously considering the option of sitting out the 2009 season and/or retiring rather than accepting the contract offer made to him last week."

Massarotti adds that the Red Sox are expected to reopen trade talks for Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Miguel Montero, independent of Varitek.

9:55am: A quote from WEEI’s Michael Holley in regard to Jason Varitek this morning:

"I have moles who have told me if the deadline were today, no deal."  Catch the audio here, about 13 minutes in.

The deadline is tomorrow.  Michael Silverman noted today that if Varitek declines the current $5MM plus an option offer, the Red Sox would either move on or make a lesser offer.

Odds & Ends: Brewers, Votto, Manny, Montero

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A handful of Odds and Ends from around the bigs:

  • The Brewers declined to offer a contract to any of the former players that attended their tryout camp last Tuesday in Phoenix, says Tom Haudricourt. Among the auditioning were Mark Bellhorn, Randall Simon, and Robert Fick.
  • Mariners new GM Jack Zduriencik may find his patience will pay off as bargains begin to emerge in the free agent market, says Larry LaRue of the Tacoma News Tribune.
  • Bill Madden of the NY Daily News breaks down the Manny Ramirez market, team by team, including notes on the Dodgers, Mets, Giants, Angels, Yankees, Nats, and Tigers. He notes that if the Yankees failed to land Mark Teixeira, they "were ready to go at least two years and an option for Manny." Madden expects to hear the word "collusion" any day now.
  • According to Tom Krasovic, the Padres have a chance at drafting Stephen Strasburg, a San Diego native, in the 2009 draft if the Mariners and Nationals pass on the pitcher.
  • Nick Piecoro of azcentral.com says the Diamondbacks are not budging on their price for Miguel Montero: "a legit impact player, like a solid starting pitcher or an everyday bat." The Red Sox remain interested, but Piecoro writes,

    "It’s possible the Red Sox are using Montero as leverage to drive down [Jason] Varitek’s cost or get the Rangers to cave on their asking price for Jarred Saltalamacchia or Taylor Teagarden."

  • "No chance," says GM Walt Jocketty that Joey Votto will be traded, according to John Fay of the Cincinatti Enquirer.

Rosenthal On Lackey, Dunn, Young, Isringhausen

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Here’s a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal.

  • John Lackey is due up for extension talks with the Angels, as he’ll be eligible for free agency after the ’09 season.  He’d easily be the best available starter.  Rosenthal says talks with the Angels should occur before the beginning of the season, but the Halos may not be willing to offer A.J. Burnett money (five years, $82.5MM).  In November, Jayson Stark said Lackey had been telling friends he expects to have an extension by Opening Day.  That came after Lackey’s confirmation he’d wait to see the Angels’ offensive plans before re-signing.
  • The Braves paid $60MM for Derek Lowe, though no one else made a comparable offer.  This is a testament to Scott Boras (and perhaps the Braves’ desperation), though Boras has more challenging work ahead in Manny Ramirez and Jason Varitek.
  • The Red Sox have shown interest in Adam Dunn, one rival exec tells Rosenthal.  Rosenthal considers the possibility a longshot – "a square peg in a round hole."  The Sox could always make a midseason deal if their offense isn’t cutting it.
  • A Rangers official put Michael Young’s chances of being with the team on Opening Day at at least 90%.  The Rangers aren’t interested in moving Ian Kinsler to left field and Young to second base.
  • Rosenthal believes Xavier Nady is likely to garner Type A status when he becomes a free agent after the ’09 season, but half of the equation (his 2009 stats) is missing.
  • Jason Isringhausen is considering four teams, and he’d have a shot to close for those clubs.  The Dodgers aren’t terribly interested, while the Cardinals and Tigers are possibilities.
  • Should the Mets sign Andy Pettitte as well as Randy Wolf or Oliver Perez?  One rival exec suggested the idea.
  • The Astros apparently made a three-year, $28.5MM offer to Wolf before pulling it back.  Looks like he’ll be settling for less.
  • Rosenthal says a Rangers trade for Jermaine Dye is "not happening."  They’ll go with Hank Blalock’s left-handed offense rather than sign an aging veteran.  Blalock is headed into a contract year.
  • If Todd Helton has a healthy spring, the Rockies could shop Garrett Atkins.
  • The Red Sox and D’Backs are not close to a deal involving catcher Miguel Montero.  Arizona will need to add a capable backup catcher if they do find a deal for Montero.

Red Sox Still Eyeing Miguel Montero

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9:10am: WEEI’s Alex Speier talked to a source who said little has changed in the Montero trade talks.  Speier says the D’Backs hope to receive a starter for Montero, meaning Daniel Bard might not cut it.  The D’Backs aren’t in any rush to trade Montero.

TUESDAY, 8:40am: Massarotti says the D’Backs and Red Sox "clearly feel there is a fit."  They’re still trying to determine which young Boston player is comparable to Montero.  Massarotti reiterates that the Red Sox maintain interest in Jason Varitek and Jarrod Saltalamacchia as well.

MONDAY, 2:44pm: Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic weighs in:

We’re hearing the Diamondbacks aren’t getting the impression that the Red Sox are zeroing in on Montero. The clubs are still talking — or maybe we should say they are again talking — and the Sox have tweaked their offer, but it apparently is not to the point where it satisfies the Diamondbacks.

8:59am: According to Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald, the Red Sox have been "intensifying talks with the Arizona Diamondbacks concerning 25-year-old catcher Miguel Montero."  Silverman says the D’Backs have not been requesting Clay Buchholz, and the teams may be able to find a match.  Last week Peter Gammons said the Red Sox would not give up Michael Bowden for Montero.  Alex Speier wrote on December 9th that the Red Sox rejected that offer.

Silverman adds that the Red Sox are expected to continue to sign new players this week. They’ve already added John Smoltz, Brad Penny, Mark Kotsay, Rocco Baldelli, and Takashi Saito on one-year deals.  Former Dodgers GM Fred Claire weighs in on Boston’s bargains at MLB.com.

Gammons: Red Sox Focused On Montero

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Peter Gammons did a chat today with Boston Globe readers, and he discussed Boston’s pursuit for a catcher.

The Red Sox "seem focused" on Arizona catcher Miguel Montero, with Jarrod Saltalamacchia remaining a possibility.  The Red Sox so far will not give up Michael Bowden for Montero.  Gammons notes the Sox made failed runs at Russell Martin and Mike Napoli.

Brewers Not Close To Looper Deal

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5:41pm: Brewers GM Doug Melvin confirmed interest in Looper but denied that they’re close to a deal.  Melvin would not say whether the Brewers made an offer, but suggested Looper and the Brewers’ other targets want multiyear deals.

10:28am: In the "Etc." section of his Sunday update, Nick Cafardo has some updated information on a few free agents, as well as some potential trades.

  • Updating a key part of the back-of-the-rotation market, Cafardo says Braden Looper is "close to signing with the Brewers."
  • The Diamondbacks and Red Sox may soon revisit the possibility of an Eric Byrnes trade. Such a deal would likely be made more enticing for the Sox if Miguel Montero were somehow included.
  • The Red Sox would really rather not move Clay Buchholz for a catcher, even if that catcher were Jarrod Saltalamacchia or Taylor Teagarden of the Texas Rangers. However, Daniel Bard may be in play for a potential deal with Texas.
  • The Reds, Indians, Pirates and Giants are all in the mix for Ty Wigginton. Back on Dec. 18, we had a Wigginton update in an Odds and Ends post that said the player was not interested in returning to Pittsburgh.

Other topics of note (found on page 5 of Cafardo’s article) include the Tampa Bay Rays’ plan for a DH upgrade, as well as some notes on Derek Lowe and Manny Ramirez.

Alex Walsh can be reached at alexander.walsh@gmail.com.

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