Dear Yankees, Please Don't Trade Jesus.

by WhatwouldJeterdo on Oct 10, 2011 2:38 PM EDT

I rarely ask a lot of you. I watch all your games, buy your tshirts, get ridiculously happy when you win, embarrassingly sad when you lose, and spend a lot of my time posting on a blog about how much I like you. I'd say I'm pretty dedicated, and this letter is about how you can repay me for my years of undying love of your baseball team.

For a very long time, I have spent considerable amounts of my life following both the Yankees and the future Yankees. I have a sense of attachment to the prospects I have seen sort of grow up within the system, and am proud when I can have conversations with people about what the future of the Yankees might look like. In July 2010, you forced me to wake up to rumors that one of my favorite prospects was going to be traded for a few months of Cliff Lee. Hey, I get it. I think Cliff Lee is a douchebag, but I get it. I won't lie to you and say that I wasn't very content when the deal fell through. David Adams' ankle and the existence of Justin Smoak still bring me much happiness to this day. You made me nervous again in July of 2011, when I held my breath in hopes that you wouldn't trade Jesus and more for Ubaldo (or worse). Two very close calls, but we made it through. My patience was rewarded when he was FINALLY called up in September after a long year of Russell Martin, but that's another letter entirely. Montero responded by hitting as well as I ever could have hoped for his debut, and I had a lot of proud moments seeing him finally get a chance in the majors. I have watched him progress from some unknown (to me) 16 year old kid to one of the best prospects in all of baseball.

I know what you're thinking, "Silly girl, why would you get attached to prospects? We're the Yankees!", but I can't help it. There is a certain thrill I get from watching the Robinson Canos of the world be at or near the top of their position. I like that I get to tell people I saw Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte play in a small North Carolina town when I barely knew my ABCs. I feel that same way about Jesus Montero. It's exciting to me that I got to tell people that I've seen him improve more and more into the phenomenal hitter he is today.

So, here it is. I don't beg often, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Please don't trade Jesus Montero this off season. Stop laughing. I know why you want to trade him, but there are so many reasons you shouldn't. I'm not sure there was a Yankee fan alive who wasn't impressed with his September call up results and it would be unfair to deprive us of the chance to watch him play for our team again. There are plenty of ways of obtaining a pitcher this off season without selling away Montero, Banuelos, Betances, and the other guys you have taken the time to turn into very promising young players.

I love the Yankees. I won't stop loving them if you make a decision I don't support (because we both know that I wouldn't be here writing this letter now if that were the plan), but I am asking you to not do anything stupid here. Please don't trade Jesus Montero. Far sooner than we'd like, the players we have watched for the better part of 15+ years will be gone and Yankee fans will need new homegrown players to love. Players we can tell our family, friends, future children, and even strangers that we saw play before less avid fans knew their names. Montero is that player for me.

Go Yankees,

WWJD

Tweet Comment 31 comments | 21 recs |

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Comments

Rec'd.

You just summed of the reasons why getting attached to top of the line prospects is a great thing. I loved spreading the word about Montero before anyone knew his name a couple seasons ago. When he did well my friend said “Wow he is worth the hype you were talking about.”

Residing on the BEast coast.

by DCyanks21 on Oct 10, 2011 2:44 PM EDT reply actions

I'm in agreement

I don’t think anything brings fans more excitement than seeing a prospect come up and do as well as you hope he will, and that’s not just a Yankees fan thing. Look at how much excitement Strasburg brought to the Nationals organization. Look at how well Braun is doing for the Brewers. It’s one of the primary reasons why I don’t want Braun or Strasburg in the first place, because I just feel that teams not only deserve but need top quality superstars and homegrown talent like that. Someone they can cheer for, someone whose jersey they buy and someone who they want to come to the stadium and watch. I mean, I’m always upset when I go to a game and Gardner’s not playing.

So yeah, don’t trade Jesus.

"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"

by I'mGivingYouARaise on Oct 10, 2011 2:52 PM EDT reply actions

Rec'd

There’s no explanation I have heard yet that makes sense to trade him.

Follow me on twitter @nyybrandonc

Writer/Editor for Pinstripe Alley, Blueshirt Banter

"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball."

"Every day is a great day for hockey."

by Brandon C. on Oct 10, 2011 3:27 PM EDT reply actions

Well that’s just not true. There are plenty of reasons to trade a player. If they were getting Felix Hernandez or Clayton Kershaw, you wouldn’t move him if the package centered around him?

Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.

by Frank Campagnola on Oct 11, 2011 1:25 AM EDT up reply actions

package

Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows

by Rorschach44 on Oct 11, 2011 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Rec'd.

I’m in full agreement.

"When my time on Earth is gone, and my activities here are past, I want they bury me upside down so all my critics can kiss my a**"- Bob Knight

"Talent is God-given, be grateful. Fame is man-given, be humble. Conceit is self-given, be careful."- John Wooden

"Never take anything for granted. Don't forget, great prices have been paid and will be paid again if you become too smug, too egotistical and self-assured."- Johnny Cash

by JumpinJackFlash on Oct 10, 2011 3:36 PM EDT reply actions

I fully support this plea.

Keep flying, stay shiny.

by noonoo on Oct 10, 2011 4:35 PM EDT reply actions

Hmmm

"Unpleasant Internet Dude"

by david d on Oct 10, 2011 4:39 PM EDT reply actions

There are certain pitchers I would not mind getting in return for Montero

But, since I doubt the Yankees’ ability to make a trade with Montero that does not seriously undervalue his hitting ability, I’d just as soon they not try.

by waw on Oct 10, 2011 5:37 PM EDT reply actions

Ro...

never mine (Like that?)

"Unpleasant Internet Dude"

by david d on Oct 10, 2011 5:48 PM EDT reply actions

Rec'd and Signed

Although, if the Yanks traded away Jesus, I think we should all pitch in to pay an over-zealous evangelist to go to the Steinbrenners’ house/office/etc. daily and ask them “HAVE YOU FOUND JESUS!?!?”

by Raptor22 on Oct 10, 2011 7:18 PM EDT reply actions

yeap

Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows

by Rorschach44 on Oct 10, 2011 9:57 PM EDT reply actions

I think I shed a tear

Rec’d.

by Scooby Snacks on Oct 10, 2011 11:47 PM EDT reply actions

Wery well written and it definitely shows great passion. You earn a rec.

Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.

by Frank Campagnola on Oct 11, 2011 1:24 AM EDT reply actions

You know what happened to the last guy who traded Jesus? He committed suicide, and everyone on the planet hates him, even 2 thousand years later.

The Savior has come, and he is glorious. #63

by Wraithpk on Oct 11, 2011 2:31 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs

Well played, Wraith

by pastor2b on Oct 17, 2011 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Rec'd

But, unfortunately I think this well-pleaded case may fall on deaf ears. . .

by Grasshopper200 on Oct 11, 2011 3:22 PM EDT reply actions

“Far sooner than we’d like, the players we have watched for the better part of 15+ years will be gone and Yankee fans will need new homegrown players to love.”

This!!!! So, so true and exactly what I have been feeling. Homegrown players produce emotional attachment. Once the last of the core four is gone, it will be nice to have a new homegrown generation.

"Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeee Yankees win!"

by AnnaSheehan on Oct 13, 2011 9:56 AM EDT reply actions

Cashman wasn't even willing to

give up Nova and Betances for Ubalo. There’s no one on Ubaldo’s level that’s going to be traded. Jesus is safe.

World Series attitude, champagne bottle life, nothing every changes so tonight is like tomorrow night.

by Drizzzy on Oct 13, 2011 8:11 PM EDT reply actions

Ubaldo hasn't been nearly as good as he was in the first half of last year.

And next year he’ll be 28.

by schmosterballs92 on Oct 16, 2011 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Here’s the thing….

I like seeing homegrown players on the team, and it’s exciting when they turn into stars. But what may wind up seperating Jesus Montero from Robinson Cano, Brett Gardner, Jorge Posada, Derek Jeter is that they all played a position that the team had a clear opening for, and Montero may not.

Ever since the proposed Cliff Lee trade fell through, I’ve been saying that if the Yankees don’t see Montero ever becoming a passable major league catcher (and frankly, nobody but the front office knows for sure), then he is essentially a prospect without a position.

If he can’t catch, where will he play? Catching prospects typically don’t move to corner outfield spots, first base is blocked by Mark Teixeira through 2016, and while the Yankees don’t currently have a regular DH, A-Rod and Derek Jeter both over 35 and under contract for $50 million a season – one of them will likely be the regular DH by 2013 at the earliest.

Montero either has to catch, or he has nowhere to play, and if he has nowhere to play, it makes zero sense to keep him.

by 3460kuri on Oct 14, 2011 11:56 AM EDT reply actions

Jeter will never be a regular DH

he wont’ hit like one and he’s Derek Jeter what he says goes. ARod had his best season as a 3B so we’re fine for the next 2 to 3 years. He’ll suck for 2 or 3 after that but will be serviceable until 2016 when Teix leaves and Montero is our new 1B. Montero will only be 26 or 27 when Teix leaves.

And I mean it’s not like it’s impossible for him to catch…He can catch 50 games a season and in thsoe 50 games Martin rests and ARod/Jeter can DH…

World Series attitude, champagne bottle life, nothing every changes so tonight is like tomorrow night.

by Drizzzy on Oct 14, 2011 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Listen to what you're saying

Montero, one of the best hitting prospects in baseball, can DH 50 games and catch 50 games for the next five years until Teixeira vacates first base for the 2017 season? What does he do for the other 62 games, pinch hit? Wouldn’t that be a monumental waste of the cost-controlled years of such a talented prospect?

And sorry, but it’s foolish to assume that both Jeter, 37 this season, and A-Rod, 36 this season, will both still be good enough and healthy enough to play infield positions well when they’re 40 and 39. One of them may be pressed into DH duty sooner rather than later, just like Jorge Posada and Hideki Matsui were.

Montero has to be the full-time catcher, or the Yankees have to trade him. There is no other option for him with this team’s roster.

by 3460kuri on Oct 14, 2011 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs

Agreed, and rec'd

but in the interest of picking nits, I think his idea was for Montero to DH 112 games and catch 50

by pastor2b on Oct 17, 2011 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions

clear path?

I’d say the other guys like Jeter and Cano had less of a clear path for their position.

Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows

by Rorschach44 on Oct 14, 2011 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Clear Path???

Who ever has a clear path at the beginning of their career in anything?? If you trade a top prospect like Montero you should look to get back another great prospect… that can maybe play outfield??? Wouldnt that be nice… an outfielder prospect!!

Anyway, I too am totally against trading Jesus Montero just because he isnt as good a defensive catcher as Russell Martin. Do you think other teams do not know about Montero’s catching liabilities??

We need a good right handed bat in the lineup… thats it… work it out, keep the kid, teach him 3rd base or whatever. Few people doubt that he can make the all star team some year on hitting alone. Wouldnt you want that in your lineup?

Yankees can buy a pitcher every year, they dont need to give away their long term investments for 2 or 3 years of decent pitching.

Last point to ponder… who would have changed the outcome in the failure to pull it out against Detroit this year? Cliff Lee? or someone that could hit with a man on base??

by rjeffreyb on Oct 15, 2011 12:00 PM EDT reply actions

Actually, we need a decent left handed bat. Tex and Swish aren’t very good from the left side. That leaves Cano.

"Unpleasant Internet Dude"

by david d on Oct 15, 2011 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Did Granderson die?

Let us all congratulate the Boston Red Sox for becoming the first World Champions in the history of sports to NOT make the postseason! Thats not easy to do!

by nyyrocks29 on Oct 15, 2011 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions