Posted by Alex Speier

Arizona manager Bob Melvin said that, although catcher Miguel Montero has been put in the role of backup to starter Chris Snyder, the talented 25-year-old remains a substantial talent with the aptitude to become a well-rounded player. The Diamondbacks, according to Melvin, value Montero greatly, but they also recognize that because he is locked into the role of backup, his greatest value to the club may come as a trade chip.

Montero has put up big offensive numbers in the minors (.291, .356 OBP, .823 OPS), but his major-league totals have yet to match up to that track record. Montero has hit .239/.309/.720 in parts of three big-league seasons, but Melvin suggested that his sporadic playing time (he has averaged roughly 225 plate appearances in the last two years) has held back both Montero’s offense and defense.

“Based on (the playing time) he’s gotten, he’s done very well for us,” said Melvin. “A lot of people see him as an offensive guy, and I would agree, but we think he’s got a lot of tools to be a good defensive player. We think he’s an everyday player. We just feel like we have two guys who are everyday players.”

Arizona is trying to find more playing time for Montero, and has contemplated using him at both third and first base as well as catcher, especially during spring training, to ensure that he maximizes his at-bats. He is currently playing in the Venezuelan Winter League.

While the D-backs would be happy to have both Snyder and Montero back next year, Melvin acknowledged that Montero will likely be mentioned in trade conversations as the offseason progresses.

“He’s a name you’ll see out there a little bit,” said Melvin. “You hate to lose a guy like that, but if that’s your best bullet, you have to listen to other teams. But he’s a guy we covet. We think he’s a good player.”

The Diamondbacks were known to have had preliminary trade talks with a handful of teams, including the Red Sox, about Montero prior to the winter meetings. While other teams (notably the Rangers) have remained adamant that the Sox must include their top pitching prospects (Clay Buchholz, Justin Masterson) in a deal, the D-backs have shown some flexibility about the players whom they would want back in a deal. All the same, their primary needs are second base (a position where the Sox can offer little help) or an arm, whether for the bullpen or potentially the rotation.

Random winter meetings oddity: Because the meetings are in Vegas, an unusually high number of players have made their way to the event. Erik Bedard and Francisco Rodriguez have both been seen walking through the corridors of the Bellagio. Rodriguez has reportedly met with Mets officials, though the market for the closer who set a single-season record for saves has been more sluggish than one might expect due to a substantial number of free agents (Trevor Hoffman, Brandon Lyon, Brian Fuentes) and trade targets (J.J. Putz, among others).