PHOENIX – Miguel Montero didn’t know English when he signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks as a teenager out of Venezuela. But by the end of his rookie-ball season in Missoula, Montana, he had picked up enough of the language to become a translator for teammates.
That didn’t mean Montero understood everything in 2002. But he wasn’t afraid of asking questions or making mistakes or somebody laughing at him. He’s also just naturally talkative.
As Cubs manager Joe Maddon said: “He’s not afraid to voice his opinion.”
So while Montero probably had a few ideas about the three-catcher experiment, he made sure to talk to Welington Castillo after this week’s trade with the Seattle Mariners and say good luck.