Yankees catching prospect Jesus Montero started spring training off positively, answering the one question that many had about him: can the guy play defense? At least he answered it in the first couple of weeks down in Tampa, where he was reportedly solid behind the dish. Since then, however, he has regressed, Brian Cashman tells the Daily News, and he’s neither playing good defense nor hitting. It’s being suggested, therefore, that he be sent down to Scranton to begin the year.
The suspicion is that if Montero doesn’t make the club that Austin Romine would be Russell Martin’s backup. But Romine is hitting worse than Montero is. Given that he’s had less success at similar levels than Montero -- and given that he has yet to play a game above AA -- you’d think that he could use more starting time at Scranton to develop than Montero does. But really, there are no good options here.
Anyone got Bengie Molina’s number?