PHOENIX - The possibility of losing Miguel Montero to free agency and the lack of an alternative that would bring in anyone of comparable ability led the Arizona Diamondbacks to agree to $60 million, five-year contract with the 28-year-old catcher that covers 2013-17. Montero signed the contract on Saturday and, with his 20-month-old son Angel on his lap, said at a news conference that he never wanted to leave the organization that he has been a part of since agreeing to a $13,000 deal 11 years ago. General Manager Kevin Towers said that the free agent market will not be a good one after this season and Montero would have been at the top of the list for the 10 to 12 teams that will be looking for catchers. "We did our due diligence, looking at whos out there, what type of value wed put on those guys compared with Miggy," Towers said. "To me, even if it was somewhat of an overpay situation it was well worthwhile just because of the importance of the position, the player and the intangibles that he brings." Towers said there is no doubt that when Yadier Molina signed a $75 million, five-year deal with the Cardinals in March, a deal that also covers 2013-17, "it showed a change in the market, especially for catchers.") Arizona and Monteros agents suspended contract talks this spring, saying any further discussions would be put off until the season was over. But about two weeks ago, the Diamondbacks approached Monteros people to try to work out an agreement. "We wanted to keep it quiet. We didnt want Miggy to have to worry about it.," Towers said. "Lets give it one more shot because we all know the closer you get to free agency, the more chance you probably have of losing exclusivity with a player." While the Diamondbacks fretted about losing their clubhouse leader and the man who directs the pitching staff, Montero said he never intended to go anywhere else. " I was pretty clear with my agents. I told them that I really want to sign here, I want to stay here," he said. "I never visualized myself playing for another team, to be honest. I feel like this is where I belong, so I was clear enough to tell them weve got to get something done with the Diamondbacks." He talked of his comfort level with the organization and how much his family liked it in Phoenix. "I like to play happy," Montero said. "Everybody likes me here, I guess. I think here everybody knows the way I am. Its something that I really thought about, my wife and I, so I was pretty sure I was going to staqy here." Montero, who bats left handed, is a career .270 hitter. He had career bests in several categories in helping Arizona win the NL West a year ago, hitting .282 with 18 home runs, 36 doubles and a team-high 86 RBIs. He led the National League by throwing out 47.1 per cent of base runners attempting to steal last season and is first in that category again this year at 47.6 per cent. But, like the rest of the team, he has struggled at the plate, hitting .255 with two homers and 21 RBIs. His contribution goes beyond the numbers, manager Kirk Gibson said. "Im not sure everybody understands the significance of having a catcher like Miguel Montero," Gibson said. "The things that weve developed over the years and continue to develop, the things that he has to run, youre not just squatting back there putting fingers down." Montero, out of the lineup for the fourth straight game Saturday night because of a groin strain, acknowledged there probably is pressure to live up to such a big contract. "But I dont know, I just dont feel that way," he said. Ive just got to keep doing my thing. Thats all I can worry about. I cant think if I go 0-for-4 I dont deserve that contract, you know. Thats going to happen. Im going to go 0-for-10, 0-for-16. The reality is youve got to get up and go back and play the next day. I feel strong enough to put that behind me and go out and play." Club President Derrick Hall indicated it "was very important" to Monteros representatives for the contract to have a fifth year. Hall acknowledged it was a significant amount of money for the teams budget, which should get a boost with a new local television deal next season. "We knew we were going to have to stretch a bit," he said. "There were a few signings that made that clear in the off-season, that things were going to change. But it was very important to all of us to make sure that we lock someone like Miggy up. As he mentioned, he grew up in this organization. Thats important to us, too. If we have a gem like him, we want to hold on to him." 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The 11th seed from Thornhill, Ont., needed just 67 minutes to advance comfortably on Centre Court at the Real Club de Tenis against the clay specialist who has played in two Barcelona semifinals.NEWARK, N.J. -- The New Jersey Devils have signed first-round draft pick Stefan Matteau to an entry-level contract. Devils president and general manager Lou Lamoriello announced the signing on Tuesday without disclosing details. Matteau, the son of former Rangers forward Stephane Matteau, was the 29th overall pick in June. Stephane scored two double-overtime goals in the 1994 conference finals as New York eliminated New Jersey en route to the Stanley Cup. "Stefan Matteau is a size-and-strength power forward," Lamoriello ssaid, "who we consider to be one of our top prospects.dddddddddddd" The 18-year-old Matteau spent the past two seasons with the United States Development Program. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound forward skated in 46 games for the Under-18 squad in 2011-12, recording 15 goals and 32 points. He played for Team USAs Under-17 team in 2010-11, posting seven goals and 11 assists. Matteau will play in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League this season for the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. His father is an assistant coach with that team. ' ' '