The Cubs have decided to designate veteran catcher Miguel Montero for assignment, according to ESPNChicago.com’s Jesse Rogers (via Twitter). Chicago is set to promote young receive Victor Caratini in his place, ESPN.com’s Buster Olney tweets.
Chicago is making the move the morning after Montero allowed the Nationals to run wild on the basepaths — and then blamed it on starter Jake Arrieta. While both surely have their share of the blame for the seven swiped bags, Montero’s public comments were clearly not taken well by the organization.
Star first baseman Anthony Rizzo didn’t mince words on the topic. This morning, in an interview on ESPN 1000 (Twitter link), he described the situation like this: “When you point fingers you’re a selfish player. We have another catcher that throws everyone out.”
With the Cubs trying to right the ship after a middling start to the year, the organization will now part with a player who was performing at a high level with the bat — despite the ongoing questions about his abilities behind the dish. Through 112 plate appearances, he carries a .286/.366/.439 batting line with four home runs.
As a left-handed-hitting backstop with a history of strong power production, Montero ought to draw interest. But he’s also earning a hefty $14MM salary in the final year of his deal, so the 33-year-old isn’t going to be claimed. Instead, it seems reasonable to expect he’ll either be traded (with the Cubs holding onto a big chunk of change) or allowed to test the open market.
Chicago will now sport a youthful and talented backstop pairing, with the 23-year-old Caratini joining 25-year-old Willson Contreras. The switch-hitting Caratini has enjoyed a breakout year thus far at Triple-A Iowa, slashing a robust .343/.384/.539 with eight home runs over 271 trips to the plate.
Though Caratini is certainly an interesting player who could hold down the reserve role the rest of the way, today’s move also opens at least some possibility that the Cubs will explore the trade market this summer (or look at an option such as current free agent Derek Norris). Even if a significant addition isn’t pursued, Chicago might look into adding another veteran. Perhaps it’s even possible that Kyle Schwarber could return to more regular duties behind the dish once he’s called back up, though undoubtedly the Cubs will also want to continue protecting his knee and allow him to focus on getting right at the plate.
Wowzers. Shouldn’t have blamed your teammate.
I understand Miggy’s frustration. He’s only thrown out one runner all year and Arrieta is part of the reason. The Cubs will miss his pitch framing and his LH bat off the bench. However, you can’t say what he said to the media and include all the pitchers. Who is going to want to pitch to him? Huge apologies are needed after that. Not what the Cubs need as they have been stuck at .500 all year. Looking forward to Caratini
becoming part of the Cubs young core. And it would be good for Kyle’s psyche to catch a game every week or two when he is recalled.
Pitch framing, outstanding game calling and the ability to know the opposing team and command a clubhouse couldn’t save varitek when he got to the point couldn’t throw.. Why would it save someone with half the talent like montero who can’t accept his own mistakes?
Doesn’t matter how good your arm is if the pitcher is taking over 2 seconds to get the ball to you. Montero was right about what he said. Saying it at all in public was the problem.
According to Montero, Arrieta even agreed with him that he should have done a better job at checking the runners
Montero is 0 for 31 throwing out base runners. Is every pitcher on the Cubs slow to the plate?
No, Hendricks is good at holding runners and Contreras has an arm as good as Ross did.
Lester is quick to the plate despite his yips throwing to the bases.
Right. Even the worst catcher throws out 15-20% of runners trying to steal. Three percent is reprehensible, so I doubt it is just the fault of the pitching staff. Publicly shaming your teammates for your own misgivings was the wrong move here…
Sounds like you missed the game the ump didn’t help at all. There was 3 or 4 pitcher that were right down the middle or caught the black. All were called balls. The same exact pitches for Strasburg were called strikes.
Hello,are you really Kyle’s mom?
That was fast! Don’t talk trash about the one guy who wants you to catch for him!
The Cubs are doing the right thing. Monterey threw Arrieta under the bus. That’s not being a team player. Chicago doesn’t need that garbage but haha they won’t repeat this year. I’m glad.
Arrieta has been trash and deserves to be thrown under the bus. Arrieta had been blaming his struggles on the Cubs for overworking him and I don’t care what anyone says he has one of the slowest deliveries in the game. I say one of either Arrieta or Lackey will be gone before it’s October and rightfully so. Montero had at least been putting up decent offensive numbers for a team who hasn’t had a lot of offense and has been a leader.
One of the 7 steals last night was of 3rd base.
He said he was overworked the last two years. That’s not blaming the Cubs. That’s acknowledging a truth, and it comes with the territory of two deep playoff runs.
Overworked is a terrible excuse. Ross did most of the catching the last two years and he’s split time with Contreras too
He’s a starting pitcher. It is his job to pitch that much. If he wants to get money of an ace he needs to be pitching just as much as he has the past 2 years.
I agree. He isn’t overworked. It is his job to pitch every 5th day. If he doesn’t like it, he should learn to do something else.
It’s whining. Be a man and step up and say I am out of shape and I need to do better for my team. Don’t whine and say I pitched too much so I stink now. Guys used to throw 300 innings and then go pitch in the playoffs too.
Arrieta IS to blame for the stolen bases. He was taking over 2 seconds to get the ball to the plate. No catcher, not Johhny Bench, not Pudge, not anyone can get baserunners out with the pitchers taking that long.
Ross did not do most of the catching. Not even close. He was Lester’s catcher and and occasional late inning replacement/pinch-hitter.
Leaders don’t turn on their teammates.
Rizzo had no problem turning on Montero…
Difference—Montero’s not a teammate. He’s fair game.
No Rizzo Defended the team. Big difference!
Montero has always been a “me” guy. He had a hot start this year. But over the last 17 games he’s been crap. Grid riddance.
Cubs continue to make excuses and look for any possible way to dig themselves out of a hole. You have the pitching coach blaming the baseball balls on how they were made. Maddon is likely a big reason schwarber was out of whack by hitting him leadoff. Lackey and arrieta are done. No leadoff hitter on this team. The lineup shuffling is another failure on maddon who seems to be drinking more wine than ever. This is your typical Theo Epstein post championship type of team. Throw Boston squads were garbage a few times after winning it all, maybe they just party that hard. Everyone around Chicago is making excuses for the Cubs. There’s always next year.
Theo*** not throw
I think last nights comments played a role in this decision
I think water is wet.
And birds fly
Today is potato
And sky its definetly blue.
Tell that to an ostrich.
Let’s not jump to conclusions…
Oh crazysull you are so wise ….
Literally was just watching the interview yesterday where he threw his pitchers under the bus for the steals lol. Not surprised at all after those comments. Not good for a locker room.
I’m thinking they had been thinking about this and his comments yesterday made it Theo’s decision clear.
Provably for lashing out at arrieta
I was hoping and praying the Cubs gave Victor C. A chance in July he was ready and he can throw runners out but more important he can block a ball in the dirt.
He and Wilson C. Are very much alike
Not very good defensive catcher, pitch framers, or game callers with a good bat? I would say you are right about that.
And he is Baez’s bed bud.
I can’t believe the Cubs would just ditch Montero…& get almost nothing in return.. besides a… rookie…I guess you say a bad tweet..& the bird cage opens for all the alley cats.. ooooops…
What does this even mean? LOL
I put it in google translate and i got “dahhhh baseball, go Cards d0od!”
Essentially, he’s just running this up the flagpole to get kicked around the table to see if anyone will lap up the spilled milk under the bridge.
Huh???
Why are some of you saying “I think that had to do with his comments”. It’s quite obvious that was the reason and the only reason why. Montero has done just fine this year Offensively.
Didn’t Montero rip the Cubs for playing Ross over him in the playoffs? Like something like “I’m paid to catch and I’m never out here catching”
Yes. He’s a complainer and seems like a pain in the ass.
I think the main problem was that Maddon did not directly communicate the postseason role to Montero, but Miggy did not go to Joe to find out either. As you can see from last night’s comments, Miguel is a proud guy who let off too much steam.
Trea Turner can run, that wasn’t his first game he’s stolen 4 bases and it won’t be his last….
I’m interested to see how many bases Turner steals when they play the Cardinals this weekend.
Won’t be four in a game I’ll tell you that haha
ZERO
He should not have said it but he was at least partially correct.
Don’t walk 6 in 4+ and they would be on base to steal
And the offense only had 2 hits. Thats a recurring theme no one wants to talk about.
Montero isn’t one to publicly hold back his opinion. I’ll be interested to see his rebuttal now that he is gone and all emotional.
Rizzo says pointing fingers means you’re a selfish player then points finger at Montero. Not a great couple of weeks for him either.
I guess Maddon’s schtick of tshirts with sayings on them, playing dress up on flights and bringing animals to the ball park isn’t working as well this year.
I’m guessing it’s an ex team mate now.
this
Not a great couple of weeks for Rizzo? The man has been on fire.
Last 7 days: .136/.286/.136
Couple of weeks = 14 days. Hit another bomb last night. Try again.
The dirty play on Hedges was bush league.
Not sure if you’ve ever actually played ball, but sometimes you have to make a split decision and that’s what he did. He probably would have tried to sweep slide and get his hand in there if he could do it over again. Hard nosed baseball. Major league. Or what the Major leagues used to look like.
Pointing fingers = blaming someone else for something
Calling someone out for throwing a teammate under the bus is not “pointing fingers”, so your claim that he’s doing the same thing is invalid.
And what do you mean it hasn’t been a great couple of weeks for Rizzo? He was moved to the leadoff spot and proceeded to set leadoff records and is hitting over .300 in that spot.
He has really only gotten hits in his first AB of the game. Where he knows pitchers will throw him Fastballs down the middle. So i guess leading off the game he is the best lead off hitter but you still have to get on base in the other at bats to be a really good lead off hitter.
George Springer says hi.
See Daves comment above. Last 7 days: .136/.286/.136
The “themed” road trips need to stop. It is stupid.
just like in Tampa, Maddon’s funny things get old quick and was reason he was shown door.
Are you even remotely familiar with how he came to the Cubs?
The only door Maddon was shown was by his agent when he let him know he was free to opt out once Friedman left for the Dodgers.
LOL. Wow. Might be the dumbest comment I’ve ever seen on this app, and that’s saying a lot.
A dirty player and a finger pointer. Rizzo is the dictionary definition of a me first guy.
But there is a shiny ring on that finger!!
Monteiro has always been a clubhouse cancer — especially since he was replaced by Contreras. Nothing to do with Maddon. He’s an aging player who isn’t taking reality too well. The reality that he isn’t a starting caliber catcher any longer.
Actually it was a great couple of weeks for Rizzo moron
Arrieta has been bus driving the team for over working him and for sloppy defense.
In no way is DFAing Montero a smart move, but as a Cardinals fan I’m fine with it.
You must be looking at his 2011 stats to come to that conclusion, but with you being a Cardinals fan, it makes sense that you’d still be stuck in 2011.
Montero has gone cold lately but his overall slash/pitch framing have been good this season to date
Lol at this guy. Montero is a productive player. Cutting him like this is not good for the Cubs.
Seeming that it was a joke, you should be saying lol, but I knew it would get at least one Cards fan to reply. Anyways, when Scooter Gennett outperforms your stats from 45 or so games, in a single game, I find it hard to consider that player productive. He’s getting paid 14mil to be the catcher’s version of James Loney with a better OBP and equal to worse defense.
The move should’ve been made during the offseason, especially since he had the interest of a couple teams, but either the Cubs didn’t believe Caratini was ready or they wanted to keep a veteran presence. Maybe it was a mixture of the two, or they were trying to repay him for the grand slam during the NLCS, but again, better late than never.
Caratini… just another braves prospect we should have never given up and couldn’t afford to give up. That trade did very little for us and I think Caratini is gonna be good.
Not surprised here with Montero … although his comments are somewhat true, can’t do that. Didn’t he do complaining during the WS last year also? Wanted to play more or was unhappy he didn’t play more. He just needs to shut it. Cubs probably can’t afford to give him up right now, but no doubt you have to cut the weed before it grows bigger. Good decision by the Cubs.
Oh jeez don’t remind me of that trade. That was the start of the love affair with Boni. Whom they finally broke up with.
Derek Norris?
Norris and Russell on the same team? OH MY!
No chance they sign or even look in Norris’s direction. Having Russell’s situations is enough right now.
Wouldn’t it be ironic if he clears waivers, no one trades for him (unlikely I’m sure) and he is released to free agency and then the Nationals sign him?
I’m not saying it’s gonna happen, but that would be pretty funny.
More like the rays might work a trade out. They gotta ease ramos back after acl. They need a catcher.
Good point
Wouldn’t the Rays have just kept Norris as a backup (despite the issues)?
The Blue Jays might be a landing spot.
No seeing a whole bunch of other options for Miggy.
Norris was hitting in the .180s and his defense is spotty at best. With the abuse thing hanging over his head they decided that anyone could fill that spot and gave the job to a waiver wire claim.
Sucre is at least an average def. catcher, unlike Montero. It would only make sense if the Rays carry 3 CAs.
It’d be funnier if the Brewers signed him and used him to clinch the division.
Cubs are 6.5 games out of the 2nd Wild Card spot, so if they want a chance at going back to the World Series they’ve got to step it up and win the NL Central before the Brewers trade for better players
Orioles could use his pitch framing.
Besides, something tells me Montero’s bluntness would do well in Showalter’s clubhouse.
Montero complains about everything. How does something get mad about playoff playing time when he was behind the plate when they won the world series
Last nights comments were the last straw. This has been building up for a while and for the Cubs they do not need this type of environment in their locker room. Cubs will be much better off.
There is no crying in baseball.
The problem with the Cubs this year is Wilson Contreras. He’s a disturbing catcher. Not good at all behind the plate. The fact the catching problem has been highlighted with this transaction only proves what Ive been seeing all year. That Contreras is a negative presence at catcher.
I think you are confused with who Contreras is. He is the guy who keeps the entire stadium from stealing on Lester . He is the one who picks runners off first and guns then out on second and third. How did nats do against him the night before?
You obviously don’t watch the games
How can 2 people sanely upvote this????
Seriously? You spend enough time on this site to know the answer to that
6 hits, 6 walks by jake arrieta. 12 people on base in 4 innings. Yeah its monteros fault he didnt keep people off the base paths.
Here you go watch the highlights.
The steals on 3rd were a ball that was in the dirt and a ball that was pitched way inside that montero had to reach across to grab. Bad pitches.
youtu.be/GqSNFQY0Jhw
might not of been his fault, but he needs to know where he is on the pecking order and keep his trap shut.
Pretty much this… I don’t think (most) people are disagreeing with what Montero actually said…
No one is saying that he should have kept them off the basepaths. People are saying he should have more of an influence on how many bases they take AFTER they are on the bases. Learn the narrative before commenting please.
You know what else also influences on how many bases they take? Pitchers getting outs. Which arrieta didnt do. Oh and not walking people. Which arrieta gave up 6 walks in 4 innings. SIX.
Any time you give up that many free passes its going to come back and haunt you.
Arrieta was more to blame for putting them on the bases than montero was for getting them off.
I am not disagreeing. As an alleged ‘math teacher’, you would agree though, that 7 steals occurring out of 12 baserunners is disproportionate when compared to league average, correct?
I’m with Montero on this one.. I think he realizes just as I do that Contreras is so awful behind the plate and the team is disintegrating because of his presence.. I think hes trying to plead his case but since Contreras was a top prospect and hits, he’s protected. Not everything is caught stealing % and other metrics. He’s simply an awful presence out there and I said 2 months ago that with Contreras catching regularly, they’re going to struggle.
If Epstein is so bold and intelligent he would have already moved Contreras to fix the problem.
They won a World Series with Contreras catching regularly.
No they didn’t win a World Series with Contreras catching regularly, as Contreras only caught 76 games in 2016….guess who caught the rest…Montero my friend……Check the stats. But in my math that’s over half the games caught due to Montero not Contreras
Umm, I think it could be argued that Contreras was the “regular” catcher when the Cubs won the World Series. He was called up on June 17, so the Cubs had already played something like 51 games, so if he caught 76 of the remaining 111 games, my math indicates that’s over 68% of the games after he was called up (pretty close to what I would call the “regular” catcher).. Then let’s look at the actual World Series lineups for the starting catcher:
Game 1 – Ross
Game 2 – Contreras
Game 3 – Contreras
Game 4 – Contreras
Game 5 – Ross
Game 6 – Contreras
Game 7 – Contreras
Based on MLB stats, Montero only caught 2 innings and had 4 total at-bats in the 2016 World Series, so I’m thinking that the Cubs did win a World Series with Contreras catching regularly.
Contreras caught almost half the season and yet was brought up in what? June? I’d say he was used more than Montero once he was promoted
You have to be smoking crack. This is a good move! Montero can’t run new guy switch hitter! Why not!
Landon you do realize Contreras is actually one of the better defensive catchers in the MLB and his “pop” time is 1.83. When the average is 2. Montero’s was 2.2. Go smoke another one bro
Contreras is near the bottom in pitch framing, WP, game calling runs saved, and everything that really matters on the defensive side of catching.
No one in baseball has a 1.83 second pop time on average. Contreras may have ONE pop of 1.83 seconds. The best this season is Austin Hedges of the Padres and he is at 1.86 seconds on average. Montero is at 1.90 on average and that is top 10. Contreras is at 1.92 seconds on average. No real difference between the Cubs catcher’s throwing skills. MLB average is 2.01 seconds.
The problem is not with the Cubs catcher’s throwing, it’s with the pitchers delivery time to the plate. Montero has caught only Arrieta and Lackey as far as I know and both are pitiful in delivery time. 2.05 seconds for Arrieta, 1.80 seconds for Lackey, 1.30 seconds for Lester, 1.28 seconds for Hendricks. MLB average is 1.4 seconds. It takes 3.25 seconds on average for a MLB baserunner with a typical lead to go from 1B to 2B. You do the math.
Uhh.. do a little homework. Contreras WAS NOT A top prospect. Not until his bat came alive in AAA. He was a mid level guy who got noticed because he started hitting.
You have to wonder what’s going on in that clubhouse this year.
I remember back when Cubs fans used to always talk about how much the Cardinals complain. Maddon and his boys are taking it to a whole new level this year.
It’s Contreras.
What is the backstory behind your emotional vendetta against Wilson? Other than playing the same position on the same team, he’s almost completely independent of the topic at hand.
Did he refuse to sign a baseball for you or something?
Agreed, bunch of whiners
The thing with Montero is that he might have received some leeway if he didn’t have a reputation of being a complainer.
Getcha popcorn! 2017 Cubbie Circus coming to a town near you!
The circus is on the southside of Chicago.
Good one.
It literally is (or used to be until Barnum and Bailey closed down).
So it’s not? Got it.
The White Sox are exceeding very low expectations.
The Cubs are in a high profile tailspin. That team should be dominating.
Contreras has been hitting well, glad he’ll be getting more ABs.
Am I the only one that noticed that the cubs weren’t covering the bases when these guys were stealing?
Headline should be “Cubs Fire Montero For Shooting Off His Mouth”. Designated for Assignment is too wushu washy to accurately describe what just happened
Montero was correct. Arrieta had a time to the plate of over 2 seconds all game. No catcher can stop good baserunners from running when the pitcher is taking that long. It’s simply not possible. Calling out your pitcher publicly is another story. Montero is hitting very well. He will be playing for another team in a few days.
i was just about to correct you for your ” up until yesterday he was throwing out 30% of baserunners” but seems you caught it yourself. But you are correct – he will be behind the plate for someone else by the end of the week.
I was looking at career number prior to this year. Caught it and deleted it.
Montero has had a 1.92 second pop time on his throws this season. That is very good. 2.01 seconds is MLB average. The best in baseball this season is Hedges and he is at 1.86 seconds.
Arrieta is averaging 2 seconds to the plate, Lackey at 1.8 seconds. MLB average is 1.4 seconds. I don’t think Montero has caught anyone else in his 28 starts.
You could install a howitzer to shoot the ball to 2B or 3B and there is no way to get a runner out with those times to the plate. MLB average for a baserunner to go from 1B to 2B with a decent lead is 3.25 seconds according to John Dewan. Add them up and Montero has no chance. That he has one CS is a miracle.
Cubs fans don’t like the truth do they. They keep downvoting stats.
There out in left field right now
They’re*
Wow, Cubs really miss David Ross, don’t they?
Bold, strong move by the Cubs. I like it.
Montero had a HUGE part in their WS Championship. The guy just ripped up his winning lottery ticket.
If only his throws were as fast as his mouth.
They are. Top 10 in pop times in baseball this year according to StatCast data. His pitchers have stunk it up on delivery times to the plate.
His sin was not his throwing, it was publicly outing his pitchers for stinking so bad. Truth hurts and this time it hurt Montero. Both Arrieta and Lackey will be former Cubs soon too. It may be the end of the season, but neither will be back next season.
Montero is out because of his public comments.
Simple as that. Just wrote his Cub obit.
And to think this was the same guy who publicly called out Trevor Bauer for being a bad teammate when the two were with the Diamondbacks.
About time. Wanted him gone after last year. Dude is, IMO, EXTREMELY overrated on the defensive side of the ball. After last night I was hoping his days were numbered. Guy is a chump. Despite making $14M last year as a BACKUP CATCHER he was whining and complaining about his playing time and how he was being utilized…… as he was batting .220.
It’s Caratini time now. He was “only” hitting .343, hit 20 doubles, 2 triples, and 8 HRs all with a .923 OPS in 271 triple A plate appearances.
A pick up for the Angels to play first and catch. Would be a better option than what they have for first base right now.
Jake Arrieta needs to duck down when Miguel Montero throws to the bases.
Baseball is going soft. Baseball is baseball- if he helps the team on the field it shouldn’t matter what he does off the field. Miggy had an OPS of over 800. Don’t tell me about being a “bad clubhouse guy.” Especially when his stats are taking a hit for something he has very little control of. I’d be mad too!
The guy has the second worst POP time of the 56 qualifying catchers this season. So even a pitcher great at holding runners isn’t going to help too much. This also isn’t new. He struggled at the end of 14, got worse to the point of losing playing time in 15 and has gotten worse this year.
For those that are unaware, this wasn’t a sporadic, knee-jerk reaction by the Cubs’ front office.
Monteiro has been on their radar since late last year. He talked cr @ p about Maddon, and I believe he threw one of his pitchers under the bus, last year.
This was during the playoffs. He thought he should’ve been playing more. In one of the games, the Cubs just hit a huge home-run….he didn’t get up, and he looked like he wanted to kill someone. Just sat their sulking.
He just seems to be a clubhouse cancer. Better to rectify this now.
Here is what Epstein said when they traded for Montero in 2014. “He’s a veteran, he cares a lot about winning, He’s pretty vocal. In the right environment, he can be a leader for this ballclub. He’s just a perfect fit.” Environment must be bad this year under Super Joe, they didn’t like vocal Miggy no mo. Zack Godley has been kicking arse and taking names for the 50 win Dbacks this season.
Several of you have talked about “time to the plate.” How exactly is that interval measured? Assuming the end of the interval is marked when the ball is in the catcher’s mitt, what is the starting point of the interval? Also, how is the catcher’s throwing time measured? From his mitt to the mitt of the fielder he’s throwing to? And what are considered average or acceptable times for each measurement?
Do you guys remember that time when Vance Law got doubled off 2nd in Cincinatti to end the game back in “89”?
Was he convicted? Are you a judge? So I’m assuming you’re a man if someone accuses you of being a wife beater you instantly are regardless of an arrest or trial? Hmm interesting
Can’t delete my comment. Someone said that somehow Russell still has a job. They deleted it. Doh
The guy has the second worst POP time of any catcher is baseball and he is blaming the pitchers? He could have Andy Pettit on the mound and people are still going to steal bases off of this Guy. You can’t throw your teammates under the bus and this guy has done that and thrown his manager under the bus after winning the World Series.
It’d be very helpful if everyone mentioning pop time and time to the plate would say where they’re getting their info from… One guy claims he has been top 10 in the league, another comes in and says he’s one of the worse… Which is it?!
So the consensus here is that montero is right about what he’s saying, but he just can’t say it? That’s definitely something that should stay between the pitchers, catchers and coaches.
Nearly the consensus… There are still some delusional Cub fans that think Jake Arrieta can do no wrong, as can be seen by the downvote you’ve already received.
The only problem is, Montero gets all of the blame and Arrieta gets none.. Coaches are not blamed. It is human nature to eventually get frustrated and let loose when you are getting blamed for something that you have no control over.
Same story the way it always has been. Veteran name pitcher is never at fault. Young no name pitcher always to blame for the steals. It was that way when AJ Burnett was with the Pirates. He could not keep runners from stealing. Wouldn’t even try to keep them close and did nothing different with his delivery. Gave up lots of steals to the guys that got on. Somebody like Tyler Glasnow is on the mound and they get lots of blame. Maybe if Arrieta did not allow so many base runners, maybe they would not steal so much…
Montero hasn’t thrown anyone out all year
Has Contreras caught any Arrieta or Lackey games this year? I’d be extremely interested to see how he has done with them on the mound. Neither one helps their catcher out at all.
Yes, for Jake and Lackey games, he is 3 for 8 in catching runners compared to Montero’s 0 for 18, Montero is 0 for 5 with Hendricks on the mound. They didn’t let Miggy catch Lester.
Contreras is quick; he’s picked off 5 runners already this year.
Also, the one caught stealing credited to Montero was a Mike Montgomery pickoff CS.
Montero is the new Hank Conger.
Contreras has thrown runners out even when Lester is pitching and everyone knows Lester won’t hold a runner at first. Yeah having a pitcher who is slow to home doesn’t help the catcher but it’s still not an excuse to go 0 for 31
Miguel Montero is a horrible teammate, and I never really liked him. This news is hilarious.
I am hilarious and you seem like a horrible person.
This seems like a little bit of an overreaction. I just think the instant karma of getting cut after what he said is funny. Even if Montero played for my favorite team, I couldn’t root for a guy who throws his teammates under the bus. He’s simply not a guy who’s worth rooting for, that’s it. Nothing more to it.
Okay, you’re not a horrible person. Miggy is sort of a scapegoat here, but he set himself up for it.
My theory is that it was both his comments, which have been going on since 2015 when he shared time with Ross, 2016 when Contreras came up, the playoffs when Joe didn’t lay it out for him that he wasn’t going to play every game, and finally last nights comment grouped together with how the Nationals ran on him. I don’t think it was so much the amount of stolen bases they had (though I’m sure that was part of it) but how the Nationals showed total disregard to Montero behind the plate because of his highest pop time (or second highest) in the league.
I don’t think Montero was wrong about Arrieta, but things like this are the opposite of what the Cubs need at this time. I imagine something was said on the mound last night during a meeting between these two as well. Anyways, I wanted this move before the season started, but better late than never.
Agent says mouth off about your teammates, get released and I’ll have you wearing your old D’backs jersey by the weekend.
Mediocre catchers over 30 beware! Vogt, Norris and Montero all released this past week!
You all can make a case from either perspective as to whether this was a good or bad move.
However, all you really have to do is look back on the history of the Ricketts ownership, and Theo’s tenure there to get he real answer. They demand the “Cubs Way” of doing things. That includes supporting your teammates and your playing for each other, and not publicly throwing them under the bus. All Theo did here was abide by the clubs code of conduct, the very same one that won them the World Series, and the one that will eventually have them playing like a premier team again. The stats made it easier, but this sends a message that it doesn’t matter who you are, veteran or rookie, you play for, and support your team first, or your gone.
How the Cubs are falling apart. They were touted as a super team of next decade. Not happening. Not taking away anything last year but one and done.
False. If they win 3 or 4 more World Series in the next 6-8 years, no one will remember this year.
You cubs fans sure complain a lot about team that just won a ring, as Cardinals fan who’s team flat out sucks this year , I don’t know how you all put up with LOSING for over a HUNDRED YEARS !
I’m gonna go ahead and assume here, but because none of us who post here have been alive for that long?
I’m a Cubs fan (a real one…who actually played baseball before) and I completely agree.
You’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t. There’s just no pleasing these people.
I guess that’s what happens when the team markets itself nationwide, and then the fan base grows too large.
Far too many people that comment (especially on their Facebook page) that have absolutely no clue what they’re talking about. Too many casual fans.
Everything is always Maddon’s fault. Lol. It’s a joke with many of these people. They’re hanging on every game as if it’s game 6 of the World Series.
We won one World Series in the past 108 YEARS, and now people act like we’re the Yankees.
…..Chicago is just the city of b i tch ing, moaning, and groaning. Trust me.
Is it just me or do the Cubs need to call David Ross for some leadership?
Luv the move, makes a huge statement throughout organization, there’s no d#ckhead in team!