Cubs' Rizzo slams 'selfish' Montero for Arrieta jabs

by
Geoff Burke / USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

Though the 2017 season has been frustrating for the Chicago Cubs, who continue to hover around .500 despite hoisting the Commissioner's Trophy in November, first baseman Anthony Rizzo won't stand for teammates calling one another out.

After hearing the inflammatory comments made Tuesday by Miguel Montero, who put the blame on starter Jake Arrieta for the seven stolen bases he allowed in a 6-1 loss to the Washington Nationals, Rizzo slammed his club's veteran catcher for pointing fingers.

"When you point fingers you're a selfish player," Rizzo said during a Wednesday morning appearance on ESPN 1000. "We have another catcher that throws everyone out."

Rizzo, who noted this isn't the first time Montero has gone "barking" to the media about something, was a little off in his numbers, but the three-time All-Star isn't wrong that Willson Contreras has been much better at throwing out potential base-stealers this year than his 33-year-old backup. Now in his first full season with the Cubs, Contreras has thrown out 34 percent of would-be thieves, the fourth-best mark among qualified catchers. Montero, on the other hand, has allowed 31 steals in 32 attempts over his 29 games behind the dish.

Player Innings caught CS SBA CS %
Contreras 468.2 16 47 34%
Montero 215.1 1 32 3%

Still, Montero tried to diffuse responsibility following his 0-for-7 effort Tuesday, telling reporters in an extended rant that he "didn't even try to throw" on a couple steal attempts because Arrieta - whom he never mentioned by name - gave him "no chance" to throw anybody out.

''It really sucked because the stolen bases go to me, and when you really look at it, the pitcher doesn't give me any time,'' Montero said. ''So it's just like, 'Yeah, OK, Miggy can't throw nobody out,' but my pitcher doesn't hold anybody on."

Rizzo, the Cubs' longest tenured player, was having none of it.

"This is all over TV last night. Now I gotta talk about it today," Rizzo said. "We win as 25 lose as 25. To call teammates out? What's the point?"

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