D-backs avoid arbitration, agree to one-year contracts with Montero, Roberts
The Arizona Diamondbacks announced they have avoided arbitration and agreed to terms with All-Star catcher Miguel Montero and infielder Ryan Roberts on one-year contracts, according to D-backs’ Executive Vice President and General Manager Kevin Towers. Consistent with team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Montero, 28, was named to his first National League All-Star Team in 2011 and led all NL catchers with a .471 slugging percentage, 36 doubles, 55 extra-base hits and 86 RBI. Montero hit .282 (139-for-493) with a career-high 18 home runs in 140 games last season. Defensively, Montero threw out 36.8 percent of attempted basestealers (28-of-76), the best mark among all catchers in the Majors. Montero and Henry Blanco combined to throw out a Major-League-best 37.1 percent of attempted basestealers (36-of-97).
Among NL catchers since 2007, Montero ranks third with a .452 slugging percentage, 109 doubles and 216 runs scored, fourth with a .272 average, tied for fourth with 58 home runs and fifth with 243 RBI.
Over parts of 6 seasons with the D-backs, Montero has batted .271 (442-for-1629) with 110 doubles, 58 home runs and 246 RBI in 513 career games, including 455 games (413 starts) at catcher.
Roberts, 31, established career highs in virtually all offensive categories in 2011, hitting .249 (120-for-482) with 25 doubles, 19 home runs, 65 RBI, 18 stolen bases and 86 runs scored. Roberts, who made 102 starts at third base, 23 at second and 2 in left field, ranked fourth among National League third basemen with 17 home runs last season, trailing the Cubs’ Aramis Ramirez (26), Giants’ Pablo Sandoval (21) and Braves’ Chipper Jones (18).
Over 6 seasons with the Blue Jays (2006-07), Rangers (2008) and D-backs (2009-present), Roberts has batted .250 (120-for-482) with 46 doubles, 29 home runs, 100 RBI in 307 career games. He has appeared in 130 games at third, 95 at second, 34 in left field and 1 each at shortstop and right field.