Welp, things are happening quickly.
After Miguel Montero criticized his pitchers after last night’s loss, and after Anthony Rizzo expressed extreme disappointment in Montero’s comments, it looks like change is in the air:
Source: Miguel Montero to be DFA'd
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) June 28, 2017
Source: The Cubs are calling up Victor Caratini. https://t.co/4CsCV5sxlo
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) June 28, 2017
Caratini, 23, is a switch-hitting catcher who converted to the position just a few years ago, and whose glove probably trails his bat by a good bit.
The bat, though, has been excellent this year, as he’s hit .343/.384/.539 in his first go at AAA, with a mere 14.8% K rate.
Luke wrote about Caratini this morning (not necessarily a coincidence on the timing), and obviously we’ll have more on him in the coming days. Read Luke’s take for much more on the team’s top catching prospect.
I have some concerns about his readiness to catch in the big leagues multiple times per week, but he’s already on the 40-man roster, the bat looks like it could be steady, and the Cubs know about his catching ability much better than I do. I’m open-minded.
As for Montero, the Cubs will now have a week to waive, trade, or release Montero.
Given that he’s making $14 million this year, he is not likely to be a waiver claim candidate. Instead, perhaps the Cubs can work a trade if they eat some salary, given that, outside of this recent blowup, Montero was doing so much well as a backup catcher: he hits well, he receives well, he works well with the pitching staff. He just can’t throw. Is that a total deathknell to a catcher’s career? I guess we’ll see.
If Montero is ultimately waived and clears waivers, he’ll become a free agent, where he will definitely be signed by some team. The Cubs save the pro-rated portion of the Major League minimum in that case.
What an unbelievable 12 hours it’s been. And there’s more to come.
UPDATE: Montero says his goodbye:
To the city of Chicago
Dear fans, today I say goodbye to the greatest fans. I want to thank you for the support.— Miguel Montero (@miggymont26) June 28, 2017
It was an awesome ride. Winning the World Series was simply fantastic. Thank you to my teammates – good luck to everyone of you.
— Miguel Montero (@miggymont26) June 28, 2017
Thank you also to each staff member, it was an honor to play for the Chicago Cubs organization.
Chicago will always be in my heart— Miguel Montero (@miggymont26) June 28, 2017
#WeAreGood
Miguel Montero— Miguel Montero (@miggymont26) June 28, 2017