Montero makes D-Backs' Snyder expendable

The Diamondbacks thought so highly of Chris Snyder in the offseason that they gave him a three-year, $14.25 million deal.

This winter, they’ll try to trade Snyder.

The emergence of Miguel Montero – and the organization’s belief that he’s the everyday catcher moving forward - has made Snyder expendable. The only question left is which team he goes to and what Arizona gets in return.

You won’t hear that from the Diamondbacks, of course. They have too much respect for Snyder to publicly cast him aside. But rest assured: When Snyder returns from his rehabilitation assignment sometime in the next week – he’s been out since June 18 because of a back strain - manager A.J. Hinch will announce that he’s sticking with Montero as his No. 1 catcher.

Pirates pounce on Petit, rout D-Backs

It's time for D-Backs' kids to grow up

Drew makes sense in leadoff spot

Snyder will play a couple of times a week but only so the Diamondbacks can showcase him to other clubs.

“Snydes is still rehabbing so I still have a few days to mull over what I’m going to do,” Hinch said Thursday. “But he’s (Montero) certainly staked his claim to significant playing time.”

Montero has earned the starting job. Through Thursday’s games he had hit .339 with seven homers and 20 RBIs in Snyder’s absence. His defense and game-calling – while not on par with Snyder’s – has improved as well, although he still needs work on throwing out baserunners and blocking balls in the dirt.

 “He’s falling into a nice little groove,” pitcher Jon Garland said. “You never want to see a guy get hurt and go down, but he’s gotten this opportunity and he’s doing some amazing things.”

The Diamondbacks long have had a man crush on Montero, who turned 26 earlier this month. They love not only his offensive potential but the energy and intensity he brings to the game.

Up until this point, however, Montero never has had a chance to display those skills over an extended period of time. But Snyder’s injury has given him the opportunity, and he’s made the most of it.

“Miguel has been fantastic both at the plate and behind the plate,” Hinch said. “He’s really seized the opportunity. He brings great energy behind the plate, he’s come up with timely hit after timely hit and he’s doing a lot of damage.

“We’ve always liked his ability and now we’re seeing it firsthand on an everyday basis. … I can’t say enough positive things about the way he’s played.”

Montero’s defensive skills have held him back in the past. He threw out just 21 percent of base runners in 2008; Snyder, by comparison, threw out 31 percent. In addition, pitchers felt more comfortable with Snyder behind the plate.

But this year, Montero has thrown out 12 of 34 base-stealers (26 percent) and he’s won over the pitching staff.

“His preparation has gotten better, his rapport with pitchers has improved, his attention to our opponent has increased and he’s really seized the moment of maturing as a catcher and a leader behind the plate,” Hinch said. “I’ve seen improvement in all aspects of the game which really can only come with playing.”

Some will see Snyder’s impending demotion as a by-product of the firing of manager Bob Melvin. There’s no question Melvin and Snyder were close, and that Melvin had complete confidence in the veteran catcher. There’s also no doubt that both Hinch and general manager Josh Byrnes have been Montero admirers.

But Byrnes signed off on Snyder’s deal in the offseason, so it’s not as if the front office had questions about his ability.

No, it’s simple: Snyder got hurt, and Montero has played so well the Diamondbacks would be foolish to take him out of the lineup.

The Diamondbacks shouldn’t have much trouble trading Snyder. He’s only 28, his contract isn’t prohibitive, and he’s proven he can be an everyday catcher.

But his time in Arizona is coming to an end.

Montero has seen to that.