Mariners upset with Jesus Montero’s weight gain
By Matt Fisher
“After winter ball, all I did was eat.”
After a long season, plus a few extra games in the Dominican to get some work in, most regular people would love to gorge on food and take it easy. For a 24-year old Major League baseball player trying to compete for a starting job after a season filled with injury and a suspension due to a connection to PEDs, that’s probably not a ‘best practice.’ Such is the case of Jesus Montero.
Montero reported to Spring Training 40 pounds over the expected weight given to him by the Mariners, and it has General Manager Jack Zduriencik fairly upset, as he told the Seattle Times.
"We are disappointed in how he came in physically…It’s up to him. I have zero expectations for Jesus Montero. Any expectations I had are gone. He’s got a ton to prove. It’s all on him."
Even manager Lloyd McClendon, who has already developed a reputation for sticking up for his players after defending Robinson Cano against remarks from his old hitting coach, couldn’t find a positive in the situation for Montero.
"I can’t want it for him. At some point, the light has to come on for all of us. When I talked with him, I told him he’s at a crossroads. It’s time to put up or shut up."
Montero doesn’t see a problem with his weight, and that in itself, is a problem. Already questioned for his work ethic, Montero has adopted the mentality of doing what the team wants, seemingly to get them off of his back. Zduriencik has been very vocal about the team’s displeasure, stating that the man traded from the Yankees, who hit .260 with 15 homers in 135 games in his first year with Seattle, will not be given anything and has to prove himself.