Diamondbacks trade Miguel Montero to Cubs
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The Chicago Cubs are set to receive a major upgrade behind the plate.
Jon Morosi of FOX Sports reports the Cubs have acquired catcher Miguel Montero from the Arizona Diamondbacks for minor-league pitchers Jefferson Mejia and Zack Godley. The news was confirmed by both teams later Tuesday.
The two-time All-Star struggled offensively in 2013 but underwent a bit of a resurgence last season, showing signs of restoring the 2012 production that landed him a five-year, $60-million extension.
| Year | 2B | HR | RBI | AVG/OBP/SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 23 | 13 | 72 | .243/.329/.370 |
| 2013 | 14 | 11 | 42 | .230/.318/.344 |
| 2012 | 25 | 15 | 88 | .286/.391/.438 |
| 2011 | 36 | 18 | 86 | .282/.351/.469 |
Ken Rosenthal notes that the Cubs are expected to absorb the remaining $40 million remaining on the deal.
Montero supplies the Cubs with a left-handed bat to help balance a right-handed heavy lineup, while providing solid defense behind the plate.
The Cubs hoped to add a veteran catcher to help complement Welington Castillo, who struggled last season, and they could look to platoon the pair moving forward.
A nine-year veteran, Montero has generated no shortage of interest since it was made known in early November that the Diamondbacks were willing to part ways with the 31-year-old. The Cubs were one of three teams that appeared interested, including the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox.
The Dodgers reportedly had a plan in place involving Andre Ethier going to Arizona for Montero, but Diamondbacks ownership failed to approve it.