Anyone want Miguel Montero?

[HurricaneDij39]

An All-Star this year, Montero is hitting .243 with 13 home runs and 71 RBI, though he's cooled off considerably in the second half of the season.

I am aware that we had acquired a top catching prospect in the Bonifacio deal at the deadline, but Jed Hoyer seemed pretty adamant about adding veteran talent this winter to compliment our young nucleus, and catcher is the one position where we lack major league-ready prospects.

Arizona was one of the teams I thought we could use to pin off Jackson if we ate all of Montero's salary as well as part of Jackson's. Maybe throw in a decent prospect to sweeten the deal. The Diamondbacks play in a weaker division and and had previously thrown his no-hitter with them. It's arguable that Montero's contract is just as bad as Jackson's considering his miles behind the plate and the fact that he has three full years left on his deal compared to Jackson's two.

It's well documented that Montero struggles against lefties, so he could possibly split time behind the plate with Castillo. After slugging a career-worst .344 in 2013, Montero has experienced a mild rebound to .373 this season, though still well below career norms.

 

[Rhino2]

Jackson is owed 22 M total for 15/16 while Montero is owed a total of 40 M over the next 3 seasons. An even swap makes sense if we toss in a catching prospect along with Jackson. My question would be would be would we send expand the deal to include Jackson and Castillo for Montero ? Would love to stick it to LaRusso anyway I could. They would get huge salary relief by including Castillo and even with Jackson included, Maybe enough to send some cash to the Cubs.

 

[SilenceS]

Jackson is owed 22 M total for 15/16 while Montero is owed a total of 40 M over the next 3 seasons. An even swap makes sense if we toss in a catching prospect along with Jackson. My question would be would be would we send expand the deal to include Jackson and Castillo for Montero ? Would love to stick it to LaRusso anyway I could. They would get huge salary relief by including Castillo and even with Jackson included, Maybe enough to send some cash to the Cubs.

Castillo bat and glove have come around in the second half. He has been incredible throwing out runners in the second half. I think we stick with him unless we go after Russell Martin.

 

[Papa Wheelie]

Castillo bat and glove have come around in the second half. He has been incredible throwing out runners in the second half. I think we stick with him unless we go after Russell Martin.

I disagree. Castillo is on his way out imo. We need more than a pretty good 2nd half. However, I totally agree about Russell Martin. He would be the perfect veteran addition for a young pitching staff. It will also give a couple years for Schwarber to learn the position. Schwarber could learn how to catch from Martin as well. A great defensive catcher that can hit near 300. No brainer for me! I like DJ Stewart in the draft as well.

 

[beckdawg]

I'm a no on Montero. He is a lefty but at $12 mil/season pricey even if you off load Jackson. I'd rather save the money and go after a shorter term solution like AJ pierzinski(sp?). He's also a lefty and you can probably get him for something like 1 year $3 mil. He adds in playoff experience should the cubs get at far. He also allows Castillo to hopefully be the primary catcher.

 

[CSF77]

Addition by subtraction. Just getting rid of Jackson would be worth setting up a catching platoon.

 

[CSF77]

I'm a no on Montero. He is a lefty but at $12 mil/season pricey even if you off load Jackson. I'd rather save the money and go after a shorter term solution like AJ pierzinski(sp?). He's also a lefty and you can probably get him for something like 1 year $3 mil. He adds in playoff experience should the cubs get at far. He also allows Castillo to hopefully be the primary catcher.

AJ would be a 1 year fix. Kyle IMO will take 2 years considering they are looking at him as a catcher vs a LH bat.

I would run Castillo/Mont for 2 years and then trade out his last year and promote Schwarber. If Schwarber needs more time than ride it out.

The martin idea is ok but they need 2 SP and I do not see payroll breaking 120 mil including 40 man etc.

 

[beckdawg]

AJ would be a 1 year fix.

That's sort of my point though. If Castillo is the player the cubs want him to be going forward he's the starter. This just buys you more time to make a decision. Signing Martin would essentially be saying you give up on Castillo as a starter. You may have to make another 1 year move next year but you're not committing long term and what AJ gives you this coming year is still good.

 

[CSF77]

That's sort of my point though. If Castillo is the player the cubs want him to be going forward he's the starter. This just buys you more time to make a decision. Signing Martin would essentially be saying you give up on Castillo as a starter. You may have to make another 1 year move next year but you're not committing long term and what AJ gives you this coming year is still good.

You would want to bridge the gap to Schwarber. Castillo is not a full time player. He has been in that role but last year he was the 2nd best catcher and this year his back up sucks.

 

[SilenceS]

You would want to bridge the gap to Schwarber. Castillo is not a full time player. He has been in that role but last year he was the 2nd best catcher and this year his back up sucks.

I wouldnt say he was the second best. Navarro had a bit better bat with more power, but Castillo was top 3 in GG. People really dont appreciate how good defensively he is even this year. His metrics have him as one of the better defensive catchers still and he will be 28 next year. Also, Hoyer just came out and backed him saying he believes Castillo can be a core player that fans dont talk about. He has shown good power this year, but his AVG and walk dropped. The Cubs admitted to babying him after his knee surgery. I am guessing they believe there is a lot more in him. He has 34% caught stealing rate which one of the best in the league with a pitching staff that is not good at holding runners close.

 

[Boobaby1]

I wouldnt say he was the second best. Navarro had a bit better bat with more power, but Castillo was top 3 in GG. People really dont appreciate how good defensively he is even this year. His metrics have him as one of the better defensive catchers still and he will be 28 next year. Also, Hoyer just came out and backed him saying he believes Castillo can be a core player that fans dont talk about. He has shown good power this year, but his AVG and walk dropped. The Cubs admitted to babying him after his knee surgery. I am guessing they believe there is a lot more in him. He has 34% caught stealing rate which one of the best in the league with a pitching staff that is not good at holding runners close.

Pierzynski makes the most sense. If the Cubs were in a "ready to win now" mode, and had the pitching staff set, I'd say pay Martin. Next year is going to be a gamble, and pitching comes first, followed by a must need veteran bat in the outfield.

No need to get Martin and let Castillo rot on the bench. Nothing against Martin, but I believe A.J. could help out Castillo too, and combined, give them a respectable amount of production on a day-to-day basis.

As far as an outfielder, many know who I'd like to get. Others would be OBP men Denard Span at the top of the order, or trade for Matt Joyce as a left fielder. Would probably take Vogelchunk and Lars Anderson or Corey Black to acquire, but I'd do it.

One has speed, one has power, and both have high OBP. Take your pick.

I'm thinking the Cubs would lean towards Span even though Almora is in the system. They need a true lead-off, and Coghlan/Olt could play left field or Bryant could move there in time.

 

[SilenceS]

Pierzynski makes the most sense. If the Cubs were in a "ready to win now" mode, and had the pitching staff set, I'd say pay Martin. Next year is going to be a gamble, and pitching comes first, followed by a must need veteran bat in the outfield.

No need to get Martin and let Castillo rot on the bench. Nothing against Martin, but I believe A.J. could help out Castillo too, and combined, give them a respectable amount of production on a day-to-day basis.

As far as an outfielder, many know who I'd like to get. Others would be OBP men Denard Span at the top of the order, or trade for Matt Joyce as a left fielder. Would probably take Vogelchunk and Lars Anderson or Corey Black to acquire, but I'd do it.

One has speed, one has power, and both have high OBP. Take your pick.

I'm thinking the Cubs would lean towards Span even though Almora is in the system. They need a true lead-off, and Coghlan/Olt could play left field or Bryant could move there in time.

I agree. Im not a big Almora fan. Never have been. I always said I would like him to be a centerpiece of a trade. I believe he is not something we need. I did read that the Cubs believe Alcantara is our leadoff man of the future. Time will tell.

 

[HurricaneDij39]

Called it.

 

[DewsSox79]

Called it.

you are amazing. You should run an mlb club.


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