Welcome to MLB Willson Contreras

[DanTown]

They might have called him up to catch Lester as Lester + Montero is a recipe for disaster.

 

[CSF77]

They might have called him up to catch Lester as Lester + Montero is a recipe for disaster.

Not even true.

Jon did not come in saying Ross or bust and had a few games with Montero last year. 1 he was running a no hitter for a while.

And he said he “felt fine” working with Lester.

“The question should be to him, see if he feels comfortable when I was catching him. I feel fine,” said Montero, who caught more games than any other catcher in baseball the last four seasons but is on pace to catch his lowest total in a season without a DL stint since 2009.

“The first inning was a little odd for me because I tried to think along with him, but after the first inning, I was like, `I’m just going to call my came and see if he likes it or not,’ “ Montero said. “He didn’t really shake me off. It was pretty good.”

“I didn’t come in here and ask to throw to Rossy,” Lester said. “That’s Joe’s decision. That’s the manager’s decision. I think he went with that early on just based on probably the comfort and getting used to the league and getting used to the surroundings and all that stuff, and having something that’s a constant that maybe would have helped a little bit.

“I don’t second-guess what he decides. Whatever he wants to do is fine.”

It is Maddon's call on that. Maddon was quoted saying it gives a day off to Miguel which has helped him in the past. If anything it is to protect Montero vs a personal catcher issue.

“I think with Miguel, when we’re able to give him a day off or two, it really seems like it picks up his performance,” Maddon said. “And we expect to play an extra month this year, so I want them all to be frisky.”


So if anything this promotion is all about getting a kid ready to become the next starting catcher and AAA was not going to get him there. He needs to work with the staff and work with the 2 catchers here. Pretty strait forward here. Not booting anyone out.

 

[DanTown]

Not even true.

Jon did not come in saying Ross or bust and had a few games with Montero last year. 1 he was running a no hitter for a while.

And he said he “felt fine” working with Lester.

“The question should be to him, see if he feels comfortable when I was catching him. I feel fine,” said Montero, who caught more games than any other catcher in baseball the last four seasons but is on pace to catch his lowest total in a season without a DL stint since 2009.

“The first inning was a little odd for me because I tried to think along with him, but after the first inning, I was like, `I’m just going to call my came and see if he likes it or not,’ “ Montero said. “He didn’t really shake me off. It was pretty good.”

“I didn’t come in here and ask to throw to Rossy,” Lester said. “That’s Joe’s decision. That’s the manager’s decision. I think he went with that early on just based on probably the comfort and getting used to the league and getting used to the surroundings and all that stuff, and having something that’s a constant that maybe would have helped a little bit.

“I don’t second-guess what he decides. Whatever he wants to do is fine.”

It is Maddon's call on that. Maddon was quoted saying it gives a day off to Miguel which has helped him in the past. If anything it is to protect Montero vs a personal catcher issue.

“I think with Miguel, when we’re able to give him a day off or two, it really seems like it picks up his performance,” Maddon said. “And we expect to play an extra month this year, so I want them all to be frisky.”


So if anything this promotion is all about getting a kid ready to become the next starting catcher and AAA was not going to get him there. He needs to work with the staff and work with the 2 catchers here. Pretty strait forward here. Not booting anyone out.

None of this is different than say two weeks ago or even a month ago when they called up Tim Federowicz to replace Monetro when Montero was hurt on the 15 day DL. I think they would have kept the catchers going but Ross needs a blow and with the way Monetro's back simply won't get him to throw, I think TODAY a Lester/Montero duo cannot play.

I don't think he's only going to catch Lester but if you're asking why they made this move today and not a week ago, I think Ross being out is the reason. Like most of the callups the Cubs make, it has very little to do with the guy they're calling up and almost entirely to do with the situation that the Cubs find themselves in that very moment.

 

[CSF77]

None of this is different than say two weeks ago or even a month ago when they called up Tim Federowicz to replace Monetro when Montero was hurt on the 15 day DL. I think they would have kept the catchers going but Ross needs a blow and with the way Monetro's back simply won't get him to throw, I think TODAY a Lester/Montero duo cannot play.

I don't think he's only going to catch Lester but if you're asking why they made this move today and not a week ago, I think Ross being out is the reason. Like most of the callups the Cubs make, it has very little to do with the guy they're calling up and almost entirely to do with the situation that the Cubs find themselves in that very moment.

Montero is starting....

 

[chibears55]

@MLBBruceLevine: It appears Willson Contreras may catch John Lackey on Monday. Chris Bosio -Lackey and Contreras were working together Friday

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[CSF77]

@MLBBruceLevine: It appears Willson Contreras may catch John Lackey on Monday. Chris Bosio -Lackey and Contreras were working together Friday

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...wow I guessed well there. It made sense. Lackey is the elder and can call his own game. Contreras just needs game time and getting to know pitch sequencing.

 

[chibears55]

@BruceMiles2112: Joe said he has not decided on a start for Contreras but it's likely he'll start either tomorrow (Hendricks) or Monday (Lackey). #Cubs

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[Parade_Rain]

He was hitting .350 or so in Des Moines. That seems counter-productive, IMHO, to call him up just to sit on the bench until Monday.

 

[chibears55]

He was hitting .350 or so in Des Moines. That seems counter-productive, IMHO, to call him up just to sit on the bench until Monday.

You had to figure he wasn't going to start with Arrieta or Lester on mound, so he spends those 2 days watching and learning.

So, if he been working with Lackey that will give him 3 days to be ready and somewhat be on same page with Lackey on how they wanna work the Cardinals hitters Monday

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[Parade_Rain]

You had to figure he wasn't going to start with Arrieta or Lester on mound, so he spends those 2 days watching and learning.

So, if he been working with Lackey that will give him 3 days to be ready and somewhat be on same page with Lackey on how they wanna work the Cardinals hitters Monday

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Why would I want to cool off his bat? The catcher position isn't producing squat offensively.

 

[chibears55]

Why would I want to cool off his bat? The catcher position isn't producing squat offensively.

Im not disagreeing with you..

Just saying their not going to start him with Arrieta and Lester on mound..
and, they probably used/are using the 2-3 days to get him ready with Lackey...

Who knows maybe he gets the Sunday start ...

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[chibears55]

@CarrieMuskat: #Cubs Maddon says Contreras will catch Lackey on Monday. "John is almost perfect 1st guy for him to catch"

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[Parade_Rain]

And for those not familiar with the series threads, Contreras welcomed himself to MLB with a dinger in his first AB.

 

[cubsmann]

...wow I guessed well there. It made sense. Lackey is the elder and can call his own game. Contreras just needs game time and getting to know pitch sequencing.

Lackey throws mostly fastballs so it'll probably be the easiest game for him to catch...

 

[ZAN]

To me, this is all about getting the rotation in tune with Willson now so there's a comfort zone come playoffs. Ross may be catching Lester in the playoffs. Ross is fine, has chemistry, and is a hell of a defensive catcher in his own right.

But with all the small ball in the playoffs, we don't have time for Montero to be throwing out 17% of his runners (unless he wants to put up Schwarber-like numbers this October). I could easily see Willson starting 3 out of 5 days come September.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Contreras is starting at 1B tonight.

 

[Omeletpants]

Contreras is starting at 1B tonight.

Da Fuq you say?

 

[chibears55]

Contreras is starting at 1B tonight.

Wait.. he supposedly didn't play any other positions but Catcher. .

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[TC in Mississippi]

Wait.. he supposedly didn't play any other positions but Catcher. .

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He played 3B before he was converted and apparently played some 1B in the AFL last year.

 

[SilenceS]

Wait.. he supposedly didn't play any other positions but Catcher. .

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Rizzo is having back issues and Montero hurt his knee. He doesnt play other positions, hence, why Rizzo advice to him was to just catch the ball at first. Joe goes with defensive lineups when Lester starts. I would assume he didnt want to waste one of his better defenders at first in Baez and Bryant and they are facing a lefty