Let Jesus Montero Catch

As 2011 moves into 2012 and we get to opening day, we're likely going to see pretty much the same lineup that was in there during the entire ALDS. A-Rod will be back in the cleanup spot, and hopefully the Cano-Teixeira switch remains permanent and Cano stays in the 3 spot. The one change in the lineup will likely be Jesus Montero replacing Jorge Posada as he everyday DH. While I'll be thrilled if he finally gets an opportunity to play a full season in the major leagues, I'll still have one little problem with it.

Russell Martin is that problem. Now, I don't hate him nearly as much as others on here. He played great defense, worked well with the pitching staff and even swung the bat pretty well on certain occasions and certain months. So I thank him for that. However, he virtually disappeared at the plate for much of the season and the ALDS, and yet because of his "game calling skills", he'll be the starting catcher again in 2012. 

Now, I am not against bringing Russell Martin to this team as a backup catcher or a part time catcher because like I said, he is a great defender and he does call good games. While that particular skill should mean nothing to whether or not a catcher plays because a) many pitchers call their own games and b) if someone truly can't call a game, every pitch can come from the bench, it still would be convenient for him and the pitchers he works with for him to get better at doing it. And Russ could help him with that, and overall just becoming a better defensive cacher. What I DON'T want is Russell Martin coming back this season as the everyday catcher (and I mean every-single-day) with Romine/Cervelli as the primary backup and we see Montero behind the plate only slightly more often than Posada was this year.

So New York Yankees, I ask you please to have Jesus Montero to at least split catching duties with Russell Martin, if not giving him the starting catching job entirely (which is what I'd prefer). Martin doesn't have to go, but Montero needs to be behind the plate for the majority of the Yankees games next year. If they expect him to be their catcher of the future, then he needs to get that major league experience catching, learning big league hitters, learning the pitching staff and getting that experience of catching a major league game. There's only so much he can learn from practicing it or bullpen sessions or games in spring training. He needs to do it during the season. 

I don't want what happened this past September to foreshadow what Montero's role is going to be in 2012 and possibly beyond. I don't want him to be a full time DH who rarely catches games, and on games he does catch to be taken out by the 7th inning for more seasoned game callers. His highest value to the Yankees is as a catcher. He's proven in the minor leagues that he's capable of catching at a level that is at least serviceable. So I see NO reason why he shouldn't catch next year. 

Here's a shout-out to those of you who have watched ESPN talk about Montero or listened to John Flaherty talk about him on YES. He is a catcher. The only other position he can play is first base and thats taken for a long time. Under absolutely no circumstances should he or will he play the outfield, and the same thing goes for third base. His position is as a catcher. Just because Flash doesn't get hard when Montero catches like he does when Russ or Romine catches doesn't mean that Jesus is incapable of catching in the major leagues.

Lastly, I enjoy it when homegrown players finally make it to the major leagues. I like following the minor league system, watching the draft and following a player and seeing where they end up. I did with with Jesus. I did it with Austin Jackson. I'm doing it right now with Slade Heathcott and Cito Culver and Gary Sanchez and the Killer B's and many others. I enjoy the possibility of seeing some of these players the Yankees develop through the system get the role they deserve in the major leagues. With the way everyone has doubted Montero's catching ability I would consider it a huge accomplishment for both him and the Yankees if he was the starting catcher next year. And he has the ability to do it. Joe Girardi just needs to pencil him in. 

So please Yankees, I ask you one last time. I will be very unhappy if at this time next year I look at Montero's season line and I see something like 20-30 games caught and 120+ as DH. In 2012, LET JESUS MONTERO CATCH!