# of seasons of WAR (per B-Ref) greater than 4 (by position 50% or more):
CF - 530
RF - 480
1B - 450
LF - 450
3B - 420
SS - 380
2B - 350
C - 200
There have been plenty of CFs with the power to add to the defensive value of the position. There have been 3B / SS / 2B, though not quite as many.
But catcher? Getting a catcher with good power is HARD. Teams talk about moving good hitters away from C to stop it from destroying them, but it's a position that can take a good bat and allow it to make a spectacular contribution. The number of great bats at the position? Few. And pretty much all of them with any career length were HOFers.
I don't expect Montero to catch full-time for 15 years or something, but for every year that he can, you let him. Job-sharing C with Jaso and DH with Carp (who is also job-sharing LF with Wells who in turn is job-sharing CF with Guti)...
It seems like a lot of work. Can't just fill out a lineup card with the same guys in the same positions all the time.
I'm okay with that. The rewards are worth it. Getting a bat like Montero's could be and who is able to don the tools of ignorance is a rare thing.
We paid a LOT for the privilege of seeing it happen.
So let's see it happen.
~G
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