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Mariners Analysis: What is Jesus Montero’s Future with Seattle?
The Mariners are going to have to make a tough decision regarding Jesus Montero in the coming weeks.
Just a few years ago, Jesus Montero was considered one of the most promising young talents in baseball. Fast forward to 2016, and Montero is fighting for his professional life with the Seattle Mariners this spring in Peoria. Montero and the Mariners are at a crossroads in their relationship, and a breakup could be in the near future.
Former M’s GM, Jack Zduriencik acquired Montero in 2012 from the New York Yankees in exchange for Michael Pineda. At the time, Montero was believed to be the catcher of the future in Seattle, but he has since transitioned to first base.
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The 26-year-old is competing this spring with Dae-ho Lee and Stefen Romero to be Adam Lind‘s platoon partner at first base. It’s fair to say that Montero is a distant third right now behind Lee and Romero as we enter the final weeks of Cactus League play. If spring training ended today, Montero would likely be left off the M’s opening day roster.
Montero appeared in 38 games last season with the Mariners. He hit .223 with 5 home runs and 19 RBI through 112 at bats. Montero showed a much more patient eye last year in the minor-leagues, but his lack of plate discipline reared it’s ugly head with Seattle in 2015. He posted a dismal strikeout to walk ratio of 32:4, and posted a .250 on base percentage.
Despite his lackluster big league production last season, Montero dominated the Pacific Coast League with the Tacoma Rainiers. He slashed .355/.398/.569 through 430 plate appearances with the Rainiers. Montero also homered 18 times and drove in 85 runs across 98 games in 2015. He was more than deserving of his mid-season call-up to Seattle.
Overall, Montero has been a flop in Seattle. He was touted as a player capable of taking up a spot in the heart of the M’s order, but he has hit just .253 in parts of five big league seasons. Montero was never gifted defensively, but his work behind the plate was disturbing. Unfortunately, he has not fared much better manning first base. Add in his PED and weight issues, and Montero could well be Jack Z’s biggest mistake as GM.
Montero has struggled mightily with the bat this spring in Peoria, slashing .222/.243/.278 through 19 games. He has tallied a pair of doubles and 4 RBI across 36 at bats. Not surprisingly, Montero also has the unpleasant distinction of leading the club with 11 strikeouts in Cactus League play. He has looked more comfortable at first base, but Lee and Romero have played at least as well defensively.
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The simple way to solve the Jesus Montero complex is send him back to Tacoma to start the season. However, it is not that easy. He is out of minor-league options, and he will need to pass through waivers if Seattle demotes him. Montero may not have lived up to his potential with the Mariners, but it is highly unlikely a young power bat will go unclaimed on waivers.
The Mariners faced a similar situation last spring with Erasmo Ramirez. The 25-year-old right-hander battled with Taijuan Walker for the final spot in the M’s starting rotation in 2015. It was clear Ramirez was not going to make the opening day roster, but just like Montero, he was out of minor-league options. Seattle believed they would lose Ramirez for nothing if placed on waivers, so they traded him to the Tampa Bay Rays for Mike Montgomery.
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I think trading Jesus Montero is the best way to resolve this issue. He will not fetch much, but the Mariners will be able to get something for the former top prospect. Montero represents the failings of the prior regime in Seattle, and I think Jerry Dipoto would like to put that era in the rear-view mirror. Montero is still young enough to turn his career around, and I believe it will be best for both parties to go their separate ways.