MLB Trade Rumors: Miguel Montero Likely Trade Target During Winter Meetings

A few weeks ago Fox Sports and MLB insider Ken Rosenthal indicated that the Arizona Cardinals may be willing to trade franchise catcher Miguel Montero during the offseason.  Montero is due to make $40 million over the next three seasons and could be moved to free up room in the budget.

Since the initial rumor, the Diamondbacks have made several trades but none of them including Miguel Montero.

But on the eve of the annual baseball swap meet known as the MLB Winter Meetings, another story by Rosenthal reports the Diamondbacks catcher was nearly traded for Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andre Either.

"The teams recently discussed a trade involving those players, but the deal collapsed when the D-Backs’ ownership declined to give final approval, according to major-league sources. Under the proposed trade, the Dodgers would have sent Ethier and catcher Tim Federowicz to the Diamondbacks for Montero and lower-level prospects, sources said.Ethier, 32, is owed $53.5 million over the next three seasons, plus a $2.5 million buyout.The Dodgers would have included significant cash to help cover the difference, sources said; the exact amount is not known."

Cash would have had to be included in any deal that potentially increases the payroll considering the Arizona Diamondbacks are reportedly working under a strict budget.

Another curious thing about this rumor is the Diamondbacks were reportedly willing to add another outfielder despite signing Cuban defector Yasmany Tomas to a $68.5 million deal. The pursuit of additional outfielders could mean that Mark Trumbo or another Diamondbacks outfielder could be on the move.

Clearly Dave Stewart and the Arizona Diamondbacks brain trust plan to be busy during the winter meetings.  When the meetings close mid-week it is quite possible that the DBacks roster will look very different from the team they fielded last season.