Mariners believe Jesus Montero still has future with team

SEATTLE (AP) - Jesus Montero still has a chance with the Seattle Mariners.

Mariners' officials spent their pre-spring training luncheon on Thursday lauding the transformation of the once highly touted prospect, reporting that he had lost 40 pounds this offseason.

Montero was part of a trade prior to the 2012 season in which he came to the Mariners from the New York Yankees in exchange for young right-hander Michael Pineda.

Montero never panned out as a catcher, though, and despite a decent first season at the plate with the Mariners, hitting became a serious issue. Problems beyond the field became a concern, as well, as he was suspended 50 games for being connected to the Biogenesis scandal. He also came to spring training last year overweight.

Montero played in just six major league games this past season and had an incident last August during a Single-A game when he confronted a scout in the stands. The last incident seemed to be the final straw.

But general manager Jack Zduriencik and manager Lloyd McClendon were cautiously optimistic Thursday when talking about the offseason work Montero has put in. He's now down to 235 pounds, a target weight set for the start of spring training.

"He's made some very poor decisions, but he's a good kid," Zduriencik said. "Sometimes bad decisions, sometimes the wrong focus. Obviously, got a big egg in his face. He deserves a second chance, he deserves a third chance.

"One of the things that was really, really a goal of ours in September when we brought him up here face-to-face with him and his wife was, Jesus, first and foremost, we need to save you as a human being. First and foremost, we need to make you a functional person, in terms of some of these decisions and some of these directions that you're misguided upon. I think we set a program in place that he embraced."

McClendon met with Montero a couple months ago and said the two had "a real good conversation" about the game of life. Since then, Montero has accomplished all that McClendon set out for him.

"Now he can start concentrating on being a better baseball player," McClendon said.

Zduriencik said he has never given up on Montero, but did acknowledge disappointment. Even if Montero continues to show improvement, the Mariners are not willing to guarantee he will have a future with the club.

Montero is essentially a designated hitter, and although he has put some time into learning first base, the Mariners aren't in great need at that position. After signing Nelson Cruz this offseason to serve as the team's primary designated hitter, it will be tough for the 25-year-old Venezuelan to crack the big leagues.

That won't stop the Mariners from giving him an opportunity, though.

"The bottom line is, he's still a part of this organization, we've got a lot invested in him and we certainly want him to be successful," Zduriencik said. "He's going to be given that opportunity."