Why the Yankees Aren't Promoting Jesus Montero
by Brandon C. on Jul 18, 2011 10:00 AM EDT
in New York Yankees Analysis
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PrintJesus Montero has not played a game in the MLB yet, and many fans are perplexed about why that is. Montero is the Yankees top prospect, and is one of the best hitting prospects in baseball. That Montero plays catcher, a position that the Yankees have had troubles with this season, is just an added bonus.
Montero has shown over and over again why he belongs in the MLB, and the majority of fans believe he should be in the MLB right now. Whether it is a platoon with Russell Martin, or the full time starting job, I agree. However, the Yankees do not.
Many fans have tried to analyze why exactly the Yankees have not promoted Montero. Sure, Montero did just get hurt, which will certainly give the Yankees another excuse to not call him up, but that can't be the main reason, as he has not proved to be injury prone. Sure, Montero has shown a little lack of effort, but that is no reason to not promote someone.
Here are the possible reasons, in order of how likely I believe they are:
1. The Yankees simply believe Russell Martin is a capable starting catcher, and that gives them no reason to call up Montero. For the Yankees, it might not be about Montero. It might be that Russell Martin is a "big name" catcher, that had a monster April for the Yankees. That April could have been just enough to ensure that Martin does not lose his job this season, even to Montero.
Joe Girardi has shown a tendency to get attached to players (cough Sergio Mitre cough) and Russell Martin could be that kind of player. If this is the case, which I think it is, Martin would have to go on the DL (which is extremely unlikely) for Montero to be promoted. Otherwise, there is almost a zero percent chance Montero is promoted before September.
2. Montero is trade bait, and nothing more than that. Perhaps the Yankees believe Austin Romine, Gary Sanchez, J.R. Murphy, or another minor leaguer is the catcher of the future. Maybe they think it is Russell Martin. Either way, this would be terrible if it is true. I am a huge fan of Romine, almost to a fault, but I still feel Montero is the better prospect right now.
Enough about me, though. If this is the case, it still makes almost zero sense. The Yankees should want to show that their top hitting prospect can hit major league pitching. Many people have mentioned the possibility of "exposing" Montero as a minors only hitter, but there is no evidence at all that Montero can't hit major league pitching.
If this is the case expect Montero to be dealt before July 31st. If not, we could see Montero in the majors soon enough.
3. Montero really does have attitude problems and the Yankees aren't willing to put up with it. I almost didn't even include this option, as I feel it has very little chance of being true, but it's still worth mentioning.
Montero has had over a year to progress both athletically and mentally, and he could be showing little progression mentally. Perhaps Dave Miley, Scranton's manager, hasn't given the thumbs up yet.
While this is very unlikely, if it is true this does not bode well for the future of Montero and the Yankees.
4. Brian Cashman dated Jesus Montero's mother and she dumped him. Something like that, some reason why Cashman has something against Montero other than Montero's peformance on the field. This is of course a joke, but so is the fact that Montero is not in the majors.
Call up Jesus Montero.
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Quick pet peave...
“Montero has shown over and over again why he belongs in the MLB, and the majority of fans believe he should be in the MLB right now.”
MLB = Major League Baseball. So, your sentence is saying “Montero has shown over and over again why he belongs in the major league baseball, and the majority of fans beleive he sould be in the major league baseball right now.”
Just sayin…
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Really with that 4th one?
When its obviously the contract one that should have been there? The longer Montero is down there the more time the Yankees have on his arbitration clock. Even the team that spends the most money would like to save some if it can.
not really
the only way to save on arb. with Montero at this point would be if he wasn’t promoted until next year in late May or June. It is well past the point for Super 2 status this year.
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by Jedi Master A-Rod on Jul 18, 2011 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions
From @Buster_ESPN
Contrary to report, Yankees and Rockies haven’t started exchanging names in any Jimenez talks. Odds that NYY/COL work out deal are very slim
YES!
good
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
by Rorschach44 on Jul 18, 2011 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
That's too bad
I was dreaming about AJ in a Rockies uni.
pause
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
by Rorschach44 on Jul 18, 2011 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Huh
Sure, Montero has shown a little lack of effort, but that is no reason to not promote someone.
It most certainly is a damn good reason. Attitude is everything.
LOL
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by Jedi Master A-Rod on Jul 18, 2011 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions
so
LOL!
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
by Rorschach44 on Jul 18, 2011 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions
LOL
Cano showed a little lack of effort too (and still does at times). That mean he should still be in AAA?
CALL UP JESUS MONTERO!
A little lack of effort now and then
isn’t the same as a bad attitude. No one really knows why he’s not being called up so it’s all speculation anyway.
I bet it's good to be playing again, huh?
I know
I’m not saying it can’t be the reason. As I said in my post below, a bad attitude at a young age is a quick way to get in the doghouse. But it’s extremely unlikely that Jesus has a horrible attitude about everything and it’s completely stupid if that’s what is keeping him from helping the major league club.
CALL UP JESUS MONTERO!
Didn't say bad attitude
I heard some chatter this weekend that when cervelli went down in spring training, Montero just kind of assumed he would get the spot.
As a practical matter I stand by my conviction on this.
He’s gotta work for it. Not like he’s Soriano and can set his own routine.
by NYYankeeDude on Jul 18, 2011 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions
the better course of action is to kick his ass
Get the manager – or one of the HOFers roaming around, like Reggie – to sit down with him and tell him that he’s not getting to the major leagues until he shows that he’s giving 100% every day. Of course, maybe they’ve already tried that and it didn’t work, but if that hasn’t worked, maybe the second-best course of action is to have him up in the big leagues around guys like Jeter, A-Rod and Mo who work hard and give full effort even though they’re already HOFers.
by long time listener on Jul 18, 2011 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Hardly
Last thing the yankees need is a rookie who thinks he can coast.
by NYYankeeDude on Jul 18, 2011 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions
And considering how people are questioning our starting pitching in the first place
You’d think they’d want another hot bat so that the offense can help make up for the rotation. Similar to what another team in our division is doing this year…
"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"
by I'mGivingYouARaise on Jul 18, 2011 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions
the Yankees are a veteran squad
if you think that any rookie is gonna come up here and coast, you’re nuts.
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
Another reason is that he isn't exactly lighting it up in AAA
which the FO might be concerned about. Higher K% lower BB%, drop in power all this in-spite of a BABIP that is higher than last year isn’t exactly “we should bring him up” type of performance/progress. I’d like him up but he still has a lot of growing up to do. If you look at the other top prospects called up recently, their numbers prior to being called up all show improvements from the previous year in those areas and overall their number are much much better than what Jesus has done so far.
All valid. + 1
Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.
I believe in the Church of Baseball.
- Annie Savoy
You go through The Sporting News for the last 100 years, and you will find two things are always true. You never have enough pitching, and nobody ever made money.
- Donald Fehr
by Frank Campagnola on Jul 18, 2011 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Sure, "Montero has shown a little lack of effort, but that is no reason to not promote someone."
Not sure what world you live in but this is why many people aren’t promoted, whatever their vocation. In order to succeed at the next level you have to bust your ass at your current level. Then you have to bust your ass again when you get to the next level.
If the coaches feel like he needs to graps this concept, I’m OK with their decision.
Don't shoot, I'm a man.
EXACTLY qwik draw
I was just about to post the same thing.
Lack of effort = bad attitude = …. Hanley Ramirez?
Hanley Ramirez is one of the best players in baseball.
who gives a shit what his attitude is.
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
by Rorschach44 on Jul 18, 2011 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions
LOL!
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
by Rorschach44 on Jul 18, 2011 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Good
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by Jedi Master A-Rod on Jul 18, 2011 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Truth
plus he’s only hitting 252/.345/.394. What has he ever done in his career?
Strikeouts are boring- Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic.
by CasanovaWong on Jul 18, 2011 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Played baseball well
Anyone up for a CFL fantasy league?
Other than put up the best overall numbers for a SS since 2006? Not much
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by Jedi Master A-Rod on Jul 18, 2011 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
He’s not good right now, and he is entering the peak of his prime. Something to worry about.
I bet it's good to be playing again, huh?
x
He’s doing just fine.
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by Jedi Master A-Rod on Jul 18, 2011 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Since it’s super important, it’s his batting average progression this season. Sharp growth after his DL stint and now he’s back on his way to reaching his career numbers.
He’s doing fine.
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by Jedi Master A-Rod on Jul 18, 2011 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Batting average >>> everything
"Believe deep down in your heart that you're destined to do great things." - Joe Paterno
Follow me @csm5206
by Chris McKeown on Jul 18, 2011 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions
2011: The Red Sox have the highest team batting average. They have the best record in all of baseball.
2010: Texas had the highest; Went to the world Series.
2009: Yanks were 2nd by .002. Won the Series.
etc…
I understand a lot of you put more credence into newer stats, and I think mostly because somebody else said so (cuz some of you sound like robotic clones with your arguments), but it’s obvious there is a direct correlation between higher batting averages and success. The unending sarcastic trashing of batting average makes you not only look silly, but childish.
I bet it's good to be playing again, huh?
x
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by Jedi Master A-Rod on Jul 18, 2011 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions
there's a similar correlation between OBP and SLG and winning
Batting average isn’t worthless, but it’s pretty close. There’s no point in having it be one of the top statistics to look at when evaluating team or player performance.
by long time listener on Jul 18, 2011 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions
It's not worthless
Not even close to worthless- but at the same time, people rely on it way too much. It’s not the only way to measure a good hitter.
Thats why I like the triple stat line, where it tells you batting average, OBP and slugging. I think those three together give you a pretty good idea of how good a hitter is. Any one of them separately isn’t always the best way. Not just BA.
CALL UP JESUS MONTERO!
out of the three slash statistics, it comes in a distant third
At least when looking at a hitter. I might entertain the argument that it’s more valuable when looking at a team over the course of a year – luck plays a role in an individual player’s BA, even over the course of a season, but many those wrinkles are going to get ironed out over time looking at the team as a whole. Still, if you want to know how a team is doing, there are many I’d look at before considering BA.
by long time listener on Jul 18, 2011 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Batting average isn’t that distant. It has a very strong correlation to scoring runs, just not as high as OBP or SLG.
Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.
I believe in the Church of Baseball.
- Annie Savoy
You go through The Sporting News for the last 100 years, and you will find two things are always true. You never have enough pitching, and nobody ever made money.
- Donald Fehr
by Frank Campagnola on Jul 18, 2011 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions
You do. But don't worry
you won’t get the chance.
Never a Yankee.
Think Attitude problems and some off field issues was a reason why the Yanks traded Jose Tabata
along with having a pretty shitty year in AA
He's pretty much guaranteed to be the DH next year with Posada gone
I don’t see anything wrong with him eating some humble pie and working on his D until September callups. As other s have alluded to, he can’t make MLB with the attitude that he can just turn it on or off whenever he wants. He might be good enough for that, but if he wants to be a special player he needs to give 100% all the time. This game is too hard to decide when you want to show up and play and when you want to just show up.
I don’t think these are some deep character flaws, just a young kid who has deserved a promotion and is going through a period of frustration.
Strikeouts are boring- Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic.
I see something wrong with not promoting him
We’re employing two catchers who aren’t as good.
by long time listener on Jul 18, 2011 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Why are they not promoting him?
They’re idiots. Evidence: Sergio Mitre.
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
Exactly!
"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"
by I'mGivingYouARaise on Jul 18, 2011 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Barnd, I appreciate what you're trying to do here
But I think it’s impossible to work out for sure the reasons for anything the Yankees are doing right now, right down to the minor moves. Thankfully they’ve done enough things right and have a good enough team to be in postseason contention regardless, but I’m not sure it’s possible to get inside their heads. This is the same group of people who have signed Sergio Mitre and pitch him in key innings, remember?
Bad attitude and lack of effort actually could be a factor- If you show that you aren’t happy or you aren’t trying (not saying that he’s doing this, but saying “if”), that is a quick way to get in the doghouse of any team, especially if you do it at a young age. I don’t think Montero has too many instances of a “lack of effort”, and that certainly shouldn’t be the reason he’s still stuck in AAA. But we don’t know everything- the Yankees know more about what goes on in there than we do. So I think, however dumb it is that it is still a small possibility.
I think the most likely thing is that they think Martin is a capable starting catcher. Why? I don’t know, since I’ve already shown that he’s just a glorified Jose Molina who happens to start. They like the way he “handles the pitching staff”. Well if they give him a multi-year deal to catch over that and make a stupid trade involving Montero I’m gonna be pissed.
CALL UP JESUS MONTERO!
Fuck no
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by Jedi Master A-Rod on Jul 18, 2011 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
do you?
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
by Rorschach44 on Jul 18, 2011 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
We already have Cervelli
I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious.
Vince Lombardi
that would probably be a reason to sign Martin
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
by Rorschach44 on Jul 18, 2011 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions
if by "here" you mean "this site," then sure
He seems like a smart guy, and it’d be interesting to have a writer with a first-hand perspective of what life is like on the Yankees. However, if by “here” you mean “with the New York Yankees,” then no. Other than one good month, he hasn’t shown too much. We should appreciate that month, and that we had a relatively cheap guy to hold a spot while we let our top prospect get ready. But Montero should be the catcher of the near future, and should only lose that job if Sanchez or Romine push him out. So that leaves Martin as the odd, replacement-level man out.
by long time listener on Jul 18, 2011 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions
Martin would be an awesome backup catcher
But i dont think he’d sign here to be 2nd fiddle. Offer him arb and take the picks if he walks.
Strikeouts are boring- Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic.
by CasanovaWong on Jul 18, 2011 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Russ was never going to be long term
He’s meant to help this year and that was it unless he really lit it up.
I think it has a lot more to do with pitching.
Joe likes the way Martin and Cervelli work with the pitching staff. He’s said so before. They probably don’t want to shake things up too much with the incredible mileage they’ve gotten from this staff this year.
Let’s not forget AJ and Jorge’s issues. This sort of thing can be pretty serious.
by jimitre on Jul 18, 2011 12:09 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I think the Jorge/AJ thing was overblown
It’s not as if the pitcher/catcher relationship means nothing. But even if Martin and Cervelli have great relationships with the staff, neither of them can hit, and the rest of their defense hasn’t exactly been stellar. At some point, you have to evaluate the player’s total skills, and I think any clear-headed evaluation puts Montero in front of Martin or Cervelli right now. At the very least, Martin and Cervelli haven’t shown that there’s any room for improvement, and Montero has the chance to be a (legitimate) All Star, and provide an immediate offensive boost at a time when one of our top offensive players is out. So let’s have Montero learn how to handle a pitch staff on the job and get a terrible hitter (probalby Cervelli, but whoever loses out in their competition) out of the lineup.
by long time listener on Jul 18, 2011 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions
#2 is the most likely reason
They are waiting till the trade deadline to see what they can get for him to help them win this year. If he’s not traded, then there is a decent chance you see him in a Yankees uniform in August.
"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"
by I'mGivingYouARaise on Jul 18, 2011 1:42 PM EDT reply actions
that'd be a happy medium
Best-case scenario would be him getting called up right now, today, ASAP. But if they see what’s out there for the next few weeks and pass on anything that isn’t clearly a great deal, and call him up in August, I can live with that.
by long time listener on Jul 18, 2011 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions
It's really the only logical reason I can see him not being called up.
The attitude thing is BS, and something that can definitely be worked out with professionals in the Majors. Hell, him being around a Jeter or an A-Rod might actually help him with that.
"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"
by I'mGivingYouARaise on Jul 18, 2011 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions
How about defense
Interesting that you insist he is MLB ready with the bat, but make no mention of whether he can actually catch. Seems like most scouts agree that there is no way he will end up as a MLB catcher. Seems like his defense makes him a definite non-option to replace Martin as catcher at this point, and his offensive numbers are nothing special this year either. Whats wrong with making him earn his trip to MLB. He has not done that yet, especially defensively.
We dealt with Posada's defense for 15 years
"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"
by I'mGivingYouARaise on Jul 18, 2011 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions
I mean … this.
"Believe deep down in your heart that you're destined to do great things." - Joe Paterno
Follow me @csm5206
by Chris McKeown on Jul 18, 2011 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions
and Posada's defense was mostly cuz he's an idiot
he’s most likely going into a dream like fog thinking of his wife’s boobs, which…I can’t blame him.
Montero has the same skillset. Strong arm but not exactly a cat behind the plate. He’s a big target tho, which I’ve heard from the SWB and Trenton pitchers, they like.
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
x
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by Jedi Master A-Rod on Jul 18, 2011 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, none of that is true
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by Jedi Master A-Rod on Jul 18, 2011 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions
those who actually see him play say that he's fine behind the plate.
Not great, not bad, but somewhere in between and closer to above average then anything. Considering what he does with the bat, that’s more then enough.
And every pitcher that throws to him, has said they love throwing to Montero.
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
Not for nothing, but what AAA starter would bash their catcher and say they don’t like throwing to him? Things like that need to be taken with a grain of salt.
Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.
I believe in the Church of Baseball.
- Annie Savoy
You go through The Sporting News for the last 100 years, and you will find two things are always true. You never have enough pitching, and nobody ever made money.
- Donald Fehr
by Frank Campagnola on Jul 18, 2011 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions
You probably just wouldn't hear about it if there was nothing good to say
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
He's also given up more stolen bases than any catcher in triple A the last 2 seasons.
"I'm a little worried about being a slut"
~ Bobby Hill
This is one of the eternal mysteries mankind is not supposed to understand. Like the OUIJA Board.
You should do something about that ‘cough..mitre..cough’ before you spread it to others.
by designatedquitter on Jul 18, 2011 2:19 PM EDT reply actions
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
what Ubaldo is basically A.J Burnett why would we want him
I’d trade Montero if we got someone like Justin Verlander
If that is true then forget it.
But I don’t thiunk its true. No one can be as overblown as the whiffleballer.
Ubaldo had back to back seasons with a 5.7 and 6.3 WAR
Burnett’s single season high WAR was 5.5. His single season high WAR in the NL was 5.1.
Ubaldo had a 2.88 ERA last year. AJ’s single season lowest ERA was 3.44, which he did in the NL as well.
Trying to say Ubaldo is Burnett is simply uninformed.
"I'm a little worried about being a slut"
~ Bobby Hill
I'm not sure how someone who has 3 hits, 2 walks, and 10 Ks since coming off the DL has proven over and over again he belongs in the majors
He has yet to have a single month this season with a SLG% above .473, he is hitting a terrible .273/.340/.376 against right handed pitching, and his 72 K to 23 BB ratio is god awful.
Yeah, he’s really proven over and over again he belongs in the show.
"I'm a little worried about being a slut"
~ Bobby Hill
Before anyone says it, yes I know .273 AVG and a .340 OBP isn't awful. But a .376 SLG for a righty against triple A lefties for a .716 OPS is.
"I'm a little worried about being a slut"
~ Bobby Hill
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