TwitterThe Time Has Come
27 Jul 2011
In the next 100 hours, the Yankees need to decide the future of Jesus Montero. They have three choices they can select.
1- Trade him out of the organization. If the Yankees have the chance to acquire an impact arm for the rotation, I would include Montero in that trade package. When your two of your top three starters are Garcia and Colon, you can’t feel great about your starting rotation. Yes, trading Montero would hurt, but if the Yankees could get use him in a package to get a good young pitcher (Gio Gonzalez?) then they have to pull the trigger.
2- Promote him to the majors. We keep hearing that Montero may or may not be defensively adequate to catch in the majors. These questions will hang over him until he actually heads to the bigs and demonstrates what he can do. The Yankees current backup, Cervelli, has been awful defensively (9% caught stealing and 5 errors in 210 innings) while “contributing” a line of .228/.295/.291 with the bat. The Yankees have no reason to accept that from Cervelli when Montero could do better. It is worth noting, Montero’s bat is hot right now (.315/.390/.615 in July) And, Russell Martin has completely stopped hitting (.963 OPS in April, .680 in May, .515 in June and .551 in July). The Yankees can offer him arbitration in 2012, but will they really want to? Not if Montero can prove capable in the bigs at catcher.
3- Change his position. Now that Montero’s bat is showing once again that it is ready for the bigs, the Yankees should figure out a way to use it. If they don’t think he can stick at catcher and they won’t promote him to the majors, they should find a new position for him where he could help them down the road. He could play that position in the minors for the remainder of 2011 and perhaps start there in 2012 as well with a midseason promotion to the bigs. (Remember, he is still only 21). Rightfield makes the most sense organizationally as the Yankees have an option on Nick Swisher for 2012 and then he becomes a free agent. Swisher turned around his season and has been very good overall as a Yankee, but he will be 32 when he becomes a free agent and I would bet he will try to get something like the deal Jayson Werth just signed. The Yankees could easily walk away from Swisher after 2012 and take their draft picks if Montero proves to be a capable rightfielder.
Whatever the Yankees do over the next 100 hours, I hope they don’t keep the status quo. If a trade doesn’t make sense, promote Montero or change his position. Keeping him in the minors for the rest of 2011 makes little sense for the future.
Jul 27, 2011 @ 12:11:52
Peter – as much as Cashman lays low and plays the disinterested party, you know as well as I do that he’s quietly working the phones and his scouts trying for an upgrade or two. First question is: is he looking for some rentals or is he looking for some “keepers”.
If Cashman’s looking for rentals, then Montero should get his looks as an OFer/DH type. Option 3 works. If Cashman can get a Gio or Ubaldo (in that order of preference for me of the names being thrown around), then Montero will be moved along with Nova (or Betances) making either Romine or Sanchez our probable future C. Or maybe the deal can get done with Nova and Romine, or some other combo – can’t know those answers yet.
Either way, I share your impatience about Montero. No one’s asking but if I were Hal Steinbrenner, I would tell Cash to get some rentals for the remainder of the season and implement option 3 for Montero. I’d like to build the next dynasty and I’m willing to accept “just” the ALDS or ALCS this year if we can build the next dynasty.
Jul 27, 2011 @ 12:43:55
Mitchell
Totally agree, “The Silent Assassin” is certainly all over the phones right now.
I am perfectly happy with your solution because there is always the chance, albeit a small one, that the Yankees hit the lottery with Colon and Garcia and roll into the playoffs with those two pitching like they are now. Combine that with CC and I will take my chances.
But, if Gio Gonzalez is available, I make a strong, strong push for him. A 25-year old lefty with a 2.67 ERA in the AL would be a fantastic addition to this staff.
Jul 27, 2011 @ 13:43:38
What more do Colon and Garcia have to do to show you they are for real? They’ve been terrific.
Given the age and physical condition of the staff there is a need for another starter, if you can get one for a reasonable price. But I would not be afraid to go into the post-season with the starting pitching the Yanks have gotten to date.
Jul 27, 2011 @ 14:23:02
Corey
You’re right, but I just can’t believe it will last. Colon hasn’t thrown this many innings since 2005. Garcia hasn’t had an ERA this low since 2004. I hope I am wrong, but I think they will both turn into pumpkins at some point.
Jul 27, 2011 @ 21:02:38
I’m more intrigued that you think Swish & Chips would think he could get a contract north of $100m ?????$$!!%%??
Jul 28, 2011 @ 11:09:57
BL-
I don’t think he should, but I bet he tries. After all, his career OPS is just .003 less than Werth’s and he can switch hit.
I never thought Werth or Crawford should have gotten anywhere near what they did, but now that they have other players will certainly try and emulate them.
Jul 28, 2011 @ 12:18:40
I don’t know about anyone else, but I am hoping that Cashman lands Kuroda for some minor players – I would really like to see not only Montero but some of these young arms come to The Bronx eventually.
Jul 28, 2011 @ 16:44:45
Mitchell
As long as the players are minor, I am right there with you.
Though, if Gio Gonzalez is available, I am willing to sacrifice some real prospects.
Jul 28, 2011 @ 20:16:42
word in Atlanta is the Braves are going after a big bat (established). They have pitching, any idea between Yankees and them?
Jul 28, 2011 @ 21:07:16
I read that the Braves are “heavily” in on Pence.
I can’t see the Yankees trading an established bat at this point.
Jul 29, 2011 @ 11:41:56
Peter – Yep, if it’s Gio then I would open the piggy bank of top prospects.
PS – I got so tired of reading about Banuelos and Betances that I’ve decided to go watch some Thunder games here in NH. I’ve got tix for 3 games – with my luck, Igawa will start all three