WHY MONTERO TRADE TALK IS RIDICULOUS

(Photo: Getty)
The Yankees season is over and already it's starting. John Harper has a piece out titled Yankees may part with catcher Jesus Montero in order to get the top pitcher they sorely need. Read it HERE.

John Harper makes you think and I like him a lot, but the suggestion that Montero should go is already getting me aggravated. The Yankees have lost and I get the need to want to panic, but it's not like we didn't have the parts to perform, we did, we just never had the timely hit. Yes, we need a pitcher, but I find it ironic that after all the hype about how Montero was the real thing and how the Yankees PR machine went into overdrive in September proving the Yankees were right to NOT trade Montero in the Cliff Lee trade last year, that suddenly, Montero would be available. Honestly, I think the story is bogus and I don't buy it.

The reason is simple, Jesus Montero can hit and he can catch. Austin Romine, it appears, can catch and not hit, yet at least. You're not going to unload this Montero's bat especially after he had a terrific fall run in the pros.

In 18 games, Montero had 20 hits in 61 at bats. He batted .328. He had 4 home runs and 12 RBIs. Yes, he struck out 17 times but this small sample proves this kid's got a future. Don't forget, Reggie Jackson struck out 2597 times in his career, yet, he was considered one of the greatest home run hitters in the game. I'm not comparing Montero to Reggie, but I am making a point; Montero's young, it's early, patience at the plate will come, you just can't give up that bat, it's too early.
(Photo: Getty)
Austin Romine's defense behind the plate was awesome this fall, but his bat needs some work. In 19 at bats, Romine struck out 5 times and only had 3 hits. Again, yes, it's a small sample, but the fall is your audition and while Montero made more plate appearances, he took advantage of that and shined, Romine did not.Also, let's not forget Jesus Montero's appearance in the ALDS. He had 2 hits in 2 at bats and had an RBI. I'm not saying Montero will be a superstar, although, from what I've seen, he can be.

Harper suggests that one Major League scout said Cashman may flip Montero to the San Francisco Giants for Matt Cain. I don't see it. Why would the Giants trade away one of their top pitchers for hitting? Money? Maybe, but I've watched the Franchise on Showtime and I see how dependant the Giants are on likes of Cain. Yes, if Cashman can trade someone on the farm and not part with Montero, I see this as a great scenario, but what do I know?

Harper continues: "Cashman, of course, was willing to trade Montero for Lee in July of 2010 in a deal that was nearly made with the Mariners. Since then he has said publicly that it would have to be a pitcher on that same ultra-elite level for him to even consider dealing Montero.

Still, while Cashman says the organization is committed to Montero as a catcher, not just a DH, questions about his defense remain. When Francisco Cervelli missed the last few weeks of the season because of a concussion, the Yankees called up Austin Romine to back up Russell Martin, even though Montero was already here."

Look, again, I get it, it's panic time, but is it at Montero's expense? Personally, my gut says no.
Look, the New York Yankees may have lost the ALDS this season, but they had the best record in the American League and Montero contributed.

What ever happened to Patience? Remember that? Everyone needs to take a deep breath... the Yankees may have lost the ALDS, but we didn't die. Let's not panic.

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