https://www.google.com/amp/www.chicagot ... y,amp.htmlYears ago, former Braves general manager Eddie Robinson broke out in a big smile when he was asked to confirm that he once threatened to trade Dusty Baker to Cleveland following the 1974 season after the 25-year-old outfielder expressed his misery over playing in the South without many of his veteran friends who had been dealt.
"Did Dusty tell you that story?" Robinson replied before a spring training game in Scottsdale, Ariz. "Yes, I did tell him that."
Baker caught a break one year after his request when he was dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers, who went on to win three National League titles and the 1981 World Series during his eight seasons.
The story illustrates that some are lucky to transform their fortunes, but a cautious situation awaits Joe Maddon and veteran catcher Miguel Montero, who wasn't fond of the way the Cubs' manager handled him.
Montero, 33, appearing Friday on ESPN 1000's Waddle and Silvy Show, expressed his disappointment over his lack of playing time, an apparent miscommunication and Maddon's use of closer Aroldis Chapman.
"I think the toughest part for me is they never communicated with me," Montero said on the show. "I'm a veteran guy. They talk about veteran leadership. I have 11 years in the game and two All-Star (appearances).
"I expected to be treated a little better. I was expected to get communication. Just let me know. Put me in the loop. That was the toughest part for me because I never understood what my role was going to be."
Montero's emotions peculated during the course of the season, but this was his first public admission of his frustration. David Ross and Montero mentored Willson Contreras after the excitable rookie was promoted from Triple-A Iowa in mid-July.
At that time, Montero, 33, was batting only .210 and was working on his throwing at Nationals Park a few days before Contreras was promoted.
Thanks to a strong September early October in which he batted .283 with three home runs, Montero provided the Cubs with a strong left-handed bat that was validated when he he a grand slam off Joe Blanton of the Dodgers during Game 1 of the National League Championship Series and an RBI single in the 10th inning of Game 7 of the World Series.
But playing time could come at a premium in 2017 with the ascent and reliance on Contreras, who took over the majority of the duties with the handling of Jake Arrieta in Games 2 and 6, and possibly the return of Kyle Schwarber behind the plate.
Cubs likely will have some patchwork to do, chiefly to shore up pitching
A trade seems very unlikely unless the Cubs are willing to assume a large portion of Montero's $14 million salary in 2017 and his history of lower back issues.
With John Lackey closer to retirement and Jake Arrieta one year away from free agency, 2017 provides a realistic shot for the Cubs to be "all-in" toward another Series title.
At the end of the World Series, Maddon was effusive in his praise of Montero.
Maddon has been used to massaging spats with the likes of Jon Lester, Jason Hammel and Lester over their displeasure with being pulled from starts sooner rather than later.
Montero is well-liked by many of his pitchers, and he could be perceived as a future manager or coach if it wasn't for his disdain of the "organizational advocacy" he witnessed manager Bob Melvin endure during their time with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
As soon as the hoopla over the World Series title wears off (if that's possible), a face-to-face chat between Maddon and Montero (perhaps at Cubs Convention) would go a long way toward clarifying any misconceptions.
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