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December 11, 2006
Bad News On Montero & Garcia
From Baseball America -
The Yankees reportedly gave another international player $2 million this year, but reports on Jesus Montero have not been good ever since the Yankees signed him for that amount in July. Montero has been dogged by rumors that he fudged his age or worse, and sources had indicated for weeks that his contract was under review by the commissioner's office at the Yankees' request.
Newman confirmed that the Yankees and Montero, a Venezuelan catcher with prodigious power potential, had "long, involved" negotiations. He would not comment on the value of Montero's signing bonus, but said one source's information--that Montero's bonus had been restructured to $1.3 million--was not correct. His only on the record comment was that "there is no age issue" with Montero, who struggled in the Yankees' fall mini-camp.
Newman confirmed a final rumor, that the Yankees had a second righthander who has had to have elbow surgery after pitching in Hawaii Winter Baseball. First it was 2006 ninth-round pick Mark Melancon. Now, 2004 third-round pick Chris Garcia has had elbow surgery to reinforce a torn ligament, a surgery similar to that performed on Mariano Rivera when he was in the minor leagues.
"He will not pitch in 2007; the goal is 2008," Newman said. "It would really be pushing it to have him come back by instructional league next year."
Garcia ranked as the Yankees' No. 6 prospect on a list that already has changed dramatically with the injury to Melancon (No. 9) and the acquisition of Humberto Sanchez and Kevin Whelan from the Tigers in the Gary Sheffield trade. The 21-year-old missed much of the 2006 season with an oblique strain. He also pitched 21 innings in HWB, striking out 23.
"Jesus Montero" is starting to look like the Latin translation of "Brien Taylor." Bummer news for Garcia - I wonder if Mo will talk to him this Spring about keeping his chin up?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at December 11, 2006 10:33 PM
Comments
Peter Gammons just posted on ESPN Insider:
First, Boras maintains that the $51.1 million posting price represents more than half the value of the Seibu Lions, which he estimates as a $90 million-$100 million business. If Matsuzaka is indeed more than half the value of the franchise and he can be posted again next winter (he is not a free agent until after the 2008 season), the presumption is that Seibu will be willing to pay anywhere from $20 million to $30 million to insure they get their money next winter.
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Hey Peter, MLB said that Seibu is prohibited from helping the Red Sox. I guess Pedro has got his Bostonian confidence that once again, his Red Sox will be handed something else.
Posted by: Chewbacca ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at December 11, 2006 10:51 PM
There you have it Ladies and Gents, the twisted Peter Gammons. Apparently, Peter is living in a fantasy world where Seibu is going to pay 20-30 million. Or maybe I am living in the fantasy world where the Red Sox can't possible get handed this too.
Posted by: Chewbacca at December 11, 2006 10:59 PM
Please, please don't start jumping off the Jesus band-wagon. Does he even have a bandwagon at this point? He hasn't played a single game of pro-ball yet, and you're comparing him to Brien Taylor.
First off, the reason Taylor flamed out was an injury he sustained in a bar-fight defending his brother. He had off-the-field problems that caused on-the-field problems. Before the injury, the talent was there to make the Show.
Jesus just turned 17. afaik, he has no injuries, and i haven't heard anything about him being an asshole (like Taylor). He has 80 power already! I've read stuff on him at PP.com, and what the scouts are saying is just that he needs to learn better hitting technique, and to use the whole field. a lot is expected for $2 million, but these same problems are still often attributed to MLers.
Posted by: Travis G. at December 11, 2006 11:48 PM
Comparing Montero to Taylor is wrong. Ok, so Montero fudged his age. I wouldn't be worried, unless he was 10 years older than his given age.
Posted by: Raf at December 12, 2006 09:47 AM
Pay attention. Montero is a waste.
Posted by: Don at December 12, 2006 01:55 PM
Have you ever seen him play? Have you seen his stats? Of course not, bc he hasn't played a single game of proball yet. He's just 17. Are you kidding with the 'waste' comment?
Posted by: Travis G. at December 12, 2006 02:30 PM
I'll reserve judgement until he gets a couple of pro-seasons under his belt.
Posted by: Raf at December 12, 2006 02:39 PM
Travis, I know what I know about Montero.
The guy that signed him was fired. That is public. That alone should tell you about this slug.
Posted by: Don at December 13, 2006 02:41 PM
The guy that signed him was fired. That is public. That alone should tell you about this slug.
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Probably because he was one of George's guys.
Garrett's also responsible for Philips Hughes.
Posted by: Raf at December 13, 2006 03:42 PM