Miguel Montero’s contract talks shelved for season

It looks like the much discussed long-term contract for
Arizona Diamondbacks’ All-Star catcher Miguel Montero will
have to wait.

“We weren’t able to find any common ground,” D-backs
general manager Kevin Towers announced at Salt River
Fields Wednesday. “It was a good process, these things
happen in baseball. That doesn’t mean it’s the end of the
world.”

Towers had been discussing a new contract with Montero’s
representatives for quite some time, but those discussions
have been shelved.

“It’s my desire, as well as Miggy’s desire with an
important season coming up and our first game here on
Saturday is to put it behind us until the end of the
season, and we’ll address at that point in time,” Towers
said.

Montero enjoyed a breakout season in 2011, hitting .282
with 18 home runs and 82 RBIs — which all were career
highs. The Venezuelan native also made his first All-Star
appearance last July at Chase Field in Phoenix.

The two sides avoided salary arbitration at the 11th hour
last month, agreeing on a one-year deal worth a reported
$5.9 million.

“I’m not disappointed at all,” Montero said Wednesday.
“I’ve got a decision to make and I’d like to say to them
[the D-backs] are going to be my priority in the
offseason, regardless.”

Earlier this week, the St. Louis Cardinals rewarded their
All-Star catcher Yadier Molina with a new 5-year contract
worth $75 million. Conventional thinking is that Molina’s
deal may have affected progress on the D-backs and Montero
agreeing on terms.

“No, not at all,” Towers said. “We just worry about
Diamondbacks’ business. We can’t be affected by what goes
on with other ballclubs.”

The failure to reach a deal of course leaves the
possibility that Montero could bolt for greener pastures
via free agency next season. Montero discussed that
possibility Wednesday.

“This is a business and if it’s my last year, I’ve got to
move on. It’s part of the game.”

Arizona Sports’ Kyndra de St. Aubin contributed to this
report

Follow @Vincemarotta