Orioles sign Montero to minor league deal

The Orioles made one of their depth-type moves today that won't bring much risk and certainly no reward until perhaps later in the summer.

Jesus Montero, 27, agreed to a minor league deal, the signing confirmed by executive vice president Dan Duquette. The former elite catching prospect now is a first baseman/designated hitter who's suspended for the first 50 games of 2017 after testing positive for the banned stimulant dimethylbutylamine back in September.

Montero appeared in 126 games with the Blue Jays' Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo, batting .317/.349/.438 with 24 doubles, 11 home runs and 60 RBIs. He made the International League All-Star team.

Montero hasn't played in the majors since appearing in 38 games with the Mariners in 2015 and going 25-for-112 (.223) with six doubles, five home runs and 19 RBIs. He appeared in six games the previous year and 29 in 2013 as his career took a severe downward turn.

"Jesus Montero can hit," Duquette wrote in a text message, adding that Montero will have to serve the suspension.

The Yankees signed Montero as an amateur free agent in 2006 and traded him to the Mariners with Hector Noesi in January 2012 for Michael Pineda and Vicente Campos. Baseball America rated him as the No. 3 prospect in 2011, but he's batted .253/.295/.398 in parts of five major league seasons spanning 226 games, and he hasn't caught in three years.

The Blue Jays claimed Montero off waivers from the Mariners on March 28, 2016. He's a career .311/.364/.495 hitter in the minors.

Montero has been criticized for his conditioning - he showed up at 2014 spring training a reported 40 pounds overweight - which led to a run-in with a Mariners crosschecker while the player was rehabbing an oblique injury in the low minors.

As the story goes, the scout took exception to Montero not hustling off the field after coaching first base, ordered an ice cream sandwich and had it sent to him. Montero came out of the dugout screaming with bat in hand and fired the sandwich at the scout.

Montero previously was suspended for 50 games for his part in the Biogenesis scandal. It's been quite a ride for him.

The Orioles could use another first baseman at Triple-A Norfolk if Trey Mancini breaks camp with the club. Christian Walker moved to the outfield last year. Montero also could get at-bats as the designated hitter if he sticks with the organization.

FanRag Sports first reported the signing.