NYCardsFan wrote: ↑14 Dec 2025 01:27 am
FWIW, per BTV:
Montes: 24.6
Cijntje: 14.5
Total: 39.1
Donovan: 32.5
This is sort of what I hope they don’t do: trade for aggregate value that’s spread across multiple “ok” prospects, rather than concentrated in one premium prospect.
In their mid-season 2025 rankings, FG has Cijntje at FV 50, #65 in MLB and Montes at FV 45+ outside the Top 100. They had Whisenhunt at FV 50, #84 in MLN and Kilen at FV 45 outside the Top 100.
I also would prefer for them to focus on getting one FV 55/Top 25 prospect if they could.
Ozziesfan41 wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 23:07 pm
I would like Montes and cijntje Montes is the kind of outfield prospect they need to go with Baez. He’s got big time power and gets on base. Strikes out a lot though but he gets on base
Montes' loudest tool is still his top-of-the-scale raw power from the left side of the plate, and he's continuing to learn how to get to that pop consistently in games. He has outstanding bat speed with plenty of loft in his swing to drive the ball in the air, and he can regularly register elite-level exit velocities. There is some swing-and-miss to his game and there will always be strikeouts, but he also draws walks (14.4 percent walk rate in 2024) as he's learning to find better pitches to hit. He models his game after and is often compared to fellow Cuban Yordan Alvarez.
He is slow and below average defensively so only corner OF and very likely could end up being a DH due to defensive woes. He is a beast though that can launch the ball with the best of them.
Him and Baez at the corners would make for a pretty good outfield
Your nuts. Him and Baez would suck on defense. You don’t want your corners this slow and inexperienced. Pitchers nightmare.
ramfandan wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 23:23 pm
Baseball America scouting report on Lazaro Montes
Scouting Report:
Montes’ calling card is his elite raw power. Every swing is geared to do damage, and the ball often leaves the yard when he connects. He had the highest 90th percentile exit velocity of any Mariners minor leaguer in 2025. However, his aggressive approach leads to swing-and-miss issues, with an overall miss rate that hovered around 38% and plenty of in-zone misses. After experimenting with a more contact-oriented approach in 2024 that suppressed some of his power, the Mariners shifted Montes back to more of a damage-focused philosophy in 2025 that aligns far better with his natural skills and offensive profile. While he strikes out plenty, he also has solid plate discipline and walked at a 14.2% clip in 2025. Defensively, Montes has the strongest arm in the system but is a limited defender in right field. The Mariners are prioritizing improving his mobility and outfield routes in 2026.
The Future: After finding Double-A more challenging, Montes will likely return to the level to start 2026. He has 30-homer upside in the majors, which should help him find a way into a lineup even if his corner outfield defense comes up short.
NYCardsFan wrote: ↑14 Dec 2025 01:27 am
FWIW, per BTV:
Montes: 24.6
Cijntje: 14.5
Total: 39.1
Donovan: 32.5
This is sort of what I hope they don’t do: trade for aggregate value that’s spread across multiple “ok” prospects, rather than concentrated in one premium prospect.
In their mid-season 2025 rankings, FG has Cijntje at FV 50, #65 in MLB and Montes at FV 45+ outside the Top 100. They had Whisenhunt at FV 50, #84 in MLN and Kilen at FV 45 outside the Top 100.
I also would prefer for them to focus on getting one FV 55/Top 25 prospect if they could.
Highly doubt your preferred package will be available for Brendan Donovan. Top 25 prospects generally only move for higher tier players. Love Donny, but we’re still talking about a 2B/utility guy.
MrPostman01 wrote: ↑14 Dec 2025 05:50 am
Cijntje Google only shows him. Is that a witness protection surname or par for the course for a SWITCH PITCHER. His nickname is Loo!
Question about switch pitchers facing switch hitters. Which one has to declare their side first?
That’s actually a neat question. I too am intrigued.
Ozziesfan41 wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 23:07 pm
I would like Montes and cijntje Montes is the kind of outfield prospect they need to go with Baez. He’s got big time power and gets on base. Strikes out a lot though but he gets on base
Montes' loudest tool is still his top-of-the-scale raw power from the left side of the plate, and he's continuing to learn how to get to that pop consistently in games. He has outstanding bat speed with plenty of loft in his swing to drive the ball in the air, and he can regularly register elite-level exit velocities. There is some swing-and-miss to his game and there will always be strikeouts, but he also draws walks (14.4 percent walk rate in 2024) as he's learning to find better pitches to hit. He models his game after and is often compared to fellow Cuban Yordan Alvarez.
He is slow and below average defensively so only corner OF and very likely could end up being a DH due to defensive woes. He is a beast though that can launch the ball with the best of them.
Him and Baez at the corners would make for a pretty good outfield
Your nuts. Him and Baez would suck on defense. You don’t want your corners this slow and inexperienced. Pitchers nightmare.
Maybe the inexperience part, but Baez is def not slow. He was basically averaging a steal every 2 games in minors (it is minors but you cant do that lacking speed). Dude is a 4.5 tool player with hitting average being the only .5 tool.
Ozziesfan41 wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 23:07 pm
I would like Montes and cijntje Montes is the kind of outfield prospect they need to go with Baez. He’s got big time power and gets on base. Strikes out a lot though but he gets on base
Montes' loudest tool is still his top-of-the-scale raw power from the left side of the plate, and he's continuing to learn how to get to that pop consistently in games. He has outstanding bat speed with plenty of loft in his swing to drive the ball in the air, and he can regularly register elite-level exit velocities. There is some swing-and-miss to his game and there will always be strikeouts, but he also draws walks (14.4 percent walk rate in 2024) as he's learning to find better pitches to hit. He models his game after and is often compared to fellow Cuban Yordan Alvarez.
He is slow and below average defensively so only corner OF and very likely could end up being a DH due to defensive woes. He is a beast though that can launch the ball with the best of them.
Him and Baez at the corners would make for a pretty good outfield
Your nuts. Him and Baez would suck on defense. You don’t want your corners this slow and inexperienced. Pitchers nightmare.
Maybe the inexperience part, but Baez is def not slow. He was basically averaging a steal every 2 games in minors (it is minors but you cant do that lacking speed). Dude is a 4.5 tool player with hitting average being the only .5 tool.
I was vague. I apologize. The Montas player is slow. Baez is inexperienced. I was thinking two on the job trainees in the corners would rear its ugly head too often. At the pitchers chagrin.
NYCardsFan wrote: ↑14 Dec 2025 01:27 am
FWIW, per BTV:
Montes: 24.6
Cijntje: 14.5
Total: 39.1
Donovan: 32.5
This is sort of what I hope they don’t do: trade for aggregate value that’s spread across multiple “ok” prospects, rather than concentrated in one premium prospect.
In their mid-season 2025 rankings, FG has Cijntje at FV 50, #65 in MLB and Montes at FV 45+ outside the Top 100. They had Whisenhunt at FV 50, #84 in MLN and Kilen at FV 45 outside the Top 100.
I also would prefer for them to focus on getting one FV 55/Top 25 prospect if they could.
Highly doubt your preferred package will be available for Brendan Donovan. Top 25 prospects generally only move for higher tier players. Love Donny, but we’re still talking about a 2B/utility guy.
I agree with both posters. We will need to add something to Donovan in order to get a better prospect. And I really don't want another defensive liability. Keep working on it.
NYCardsFan wrote: ↑14 Dec 2025 01:27 am
FWIW, per BTV:
Montes: 24.6
Cijntje: 14.5
Total: 39.1
Donovan: 32.5
This is sort of what I hope they don’t do: trade for aggregate value that’s spread across multiple “ok” prospects, rather than concentrated in one premium prospect.
In their mid-season 2025 rankings, FG has Cijntje at FV 50, #65 in MLB and Montes at FV 45+ outside the Top 100. They had Whisenhunt at FV 50, #84 in MLN and Kilen at FV 45 outside the Top 100.
I also would prefer for them to focus on getting one FV 55/Top 25 prospect if they could.
Highly doubt your preferred package will be available for Brendan Donovan. Top 25 prospects generally only move for higher tier players. Love Donny, but we’re still talking about a 2B/utility guy.
I agree with both posters. We will need to add something to Donovan in order to get a better prospect. And I really don't want another defensive liability. Keep working on it.
Yeah - you could package Pages/Crooks, Romero, etc. with Donovan to try to get a Top 25 prospect back.
It may not be possible. We'll never know for certain who was on the table potentially. So we just trust Bloom and Co. to make the best decision.
NYCardsFan wrote: ↑14 Dec 2025 01:27 am
FWIW, per BTV:
Montes: 24.6
Cijntje: 14.5
Total: 39.1
Donovan: 32.5
This is sort of what I hope they don’t do: trade for aggregate value that’s spread across multiple “ok” prospects, rather than concentrated in one premium prospect.
In their mid-season 2025 rankings, FG has Cijntje at FV 50, #65 in MLB and Montes at FV 45+ outside the Top 100. They had Whisenhunt at FV 50, #84 in MLN and Kilen at FV 45 outside the Top 100.
I also would prefer for them to focus on getting one FV 55/Top 25 prospect if they could.
Highly doubt your preferred package will be available for Brendan Donovan. Top 25 prospects generally only move for higher tier players. Love Donny, but we’re still talking about a 2B/utility guy.
I agree with both posters. We will need to add something to Donovan in order to get a better prospect. And I really don't want another defensive liability. Keep working on it.
Yeah - you could package Pages/Crooks, Romero, etc. with Donovan to try to get a Top 25 prospect back.
It may not be possible. We'll never know for certain who was on the table potentially. So we just trust Bloom and Co. to make the best decision.
Really- what are the chances he doesn’t get traded. And if not, where does he play.
#3 Prospect ... OF Lazaro Montes AA age 21 6-5 210 ETA 2026 ranked 29th in Top 100
#7 prospect ... RHP/LHP Jurrangelo Cijntje 5-11 ,200 age 22 ETA 2027 ranked 90th in Top 100
Giants
#3 prospect 2B Gavin Kilen 2025 1st rounder (13th pick from Tenn. ) age 21 bats L throws R ETA 2028
#7 prospect LHP Carson Whisenhunt age 25 6-3 214
Montes plus raw power ..can really launch it .. models his game and compared to Cuban Yordan Alvarez slow runner though .. Cijntge interesting
Kilen shined at Tenn. ..no surprise he went 13th in draft
Whisenhunt had PED in college .. another lefty P
Betts and Price for Verdugo and Downs. Downs was # 3 Dodgers prospect. 8 mlb hits and now playing in Japan. Verdugo was dodgers #1 prospect.
Ozziesfan41 wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 23:07 pm
I would like Montes and cijntje Montes is the kind of outfield prospect they need to go with Baez. He’s got big time power and gets on base. Strikes out a lot though but he gets on base
Montes' loudest tool is still his top-of-the-scale raw power from the left side of the plate, and he's continuing to learn how to get to that pop consistently in games. He has outstanding bat speed with plenty of loft in his swing to drive the ball in the air, and he can regularly register elite-level exit velocities. There is some swing-and-miss to his game and there will always be strikeouts, but he also draws walks (14.4 percent walk rate in 2024) as he's learning to find better pitches to hit. He models his game after and is often compared to fellow Cuban Yordan Alvarez.
He is slow and below average defensively so only corner OF and very likely could end up being a DH due to defensive woes. He is a beast though that can launch the ball with the best of them.
Him and Baez at the corners would make for a pretty good outfield
More unproven talent that will take the Cards to the promised land. Hallelujah! Pass the plate. LOL
ramfandan wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 23:23 pm
Baseball America scouting report on Lazaro Montes
Scouting Report:
Montes’ calling card is his elite raw power. Every swing is geared to do damage, and the ball often leaves the yard when he connects. He had the highest 90th percentile exit velocity of any Mariners minor leaguer in 2025. However, his aggressive approach leads to swing-and-miss issues, with an overall miss rate that hovered around 38% and plenty of in-zone misses. After experimenting with a more contact-oriented approach in 2024 that suppressed some of his power, the Mariners shifted Montes back to more of a damage-focused philosophy in 2025 that aligns far better with his natural skills and offensive profile. While he strikes out plenty, he also has solid plate discipline and walked at a 14.2% clip in 2025. Defensively, Montes has the strongest arm in the system but is a limited defender in right field. The Mariners are prioritizing improving his mobility and outfield routes in 2026.
The Future: After finding Double-A more challenging, Montes will likely return to the level to start 2026. He has 30-homer upside in the majors, which should help him find a way into a lineup even if his corner outfield defense comes up short.
he's a younger Gorman....40 hit rating and he's not even mastered AA yet...batted .213 in North Little Rock...Springfield faced him quite a bit. He did put up 4 HR in a 6 game set vs. Springfield, but he also K'd 10 times in the same set. 30% K rate ...that'll be exasperated in the majors.
He's quite a player with the Power and Arm....but that's only 2 of 5 tools that elite, the rest are too below average to warrant his #29 ranking. You'd want 45 ranking to have "hope" that they might one day get to "Average"...that's not happening. Again...Younger Gorman.... YoungerKorn.
Major Red Flags there.
----------
As for Cijinte...he's not my first choice from Seattle. I want Sloan. I've never been a fan of short RHP. Short LHP can get away with it...but the RHP seem to fail more than not. Gray was an exception, but his Slurve/Slider is a thing of beauty.
------
That being said, The 2 from the Mariners are far better than the Giants 2 players....FAR BETTER. Kilen and Whisenhunt. And we don't need another soft tossing LHP with a great Change up....it's becoming redundant to a fault.
Agree with every word of this. Don't trade Donovan to the Giants unless the name Eldridge is included. I understand that we would have to include others on our end, but they need other things that we have. The Giants system sucks. Just because a player is their number one pitching prospect doesn't make him valuable to others.
Montes is Gorman, trapped in Jordan Walker's body. He has more bust potential than... well, the joke writes itself. Sloan is the play, but Sloan and who else? I'm only mildly intrigued by Arroyo.
I wonder how interested some of the other teams actually are. The Tigers, Dodgers, Red Sox, Guardians, Yankees, and even some others seem like they could use him and offer more compelling packages than these.
I’m not sold on Montes and neither are some Mariners fans. I rather have right hand bat Arroyo who has a much better hit tool and obp. They are playing him in left field in winter ball moving him off second base. They see him as a Randy Arozarena type player and as a possible replacement for him in 2027. Type of player to hit 20 homers and steal 20 bases with a high obp. Played high A and AA at age 20 last year hit 17 homers with a .401 obp.
The Mariners system lacks lh pitching. They lucked out and got Anderson in last years draft who they hope will be ready either late 2026 or in 2027. I wonder if the Cards expanded the trade and included Mathews the Cards could get Sloan and Cijntje along with Arroyo? That would give the Cards 3 high upside prospects just a year or two away. Mathews is closer to the majors put is looking like at best a mid rotation starter.
