After missing out in their attempt to land free agent catcher Russell Martin earlier in the offseason, the Chicago Cubs are reportedly nearing a deal to address their lack of depth behind the dish by acquiring Miguel Montero from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The deal has not yet been confirmed, but with the rumors swirling for weeks, it appears as if the talks are nearing a head.
#Cubs, #DBacks discussing trade that would send Miguel Montero to Chicago, sources tell @Ken_Rosenthal and me. @FOXSports
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 9, 2014
The return for new Arizona general manager Dave Stewart remains unclear, although it has been reported that pitching prospects are believed to be sought by the Diamondbacks. However, with multiple reports indicating the club is looking for Chicago to assume most – if not all – of Montero’s $40 million salary over the next three years, the quality of such prospects likely would not catch the eye of Cubs fans.
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According to Rosenthal, the two teams will continue to talk Monday night – even while Chicago awaits the long-anticipated decision of free agent left-hander Jon Lester, who is reportedly close to deciding where he will sign, with the Cubs mentioned as one of the finalists.
Montero, 31, is coming off the second All-Star selection in his big league career, and would likely form a tandem with current Cubs backstop Welington Castillo should the trade be completed. Last season, Montero batted .243/.329/.370 in 136 games with the Diamondbacks, adding 13 home runs and 72 RBIs. During his big league career, the former amateur free agent averaged 17 long-balls and 80 runs batted in per 162-game season, while also emerging as one of the top premier game-callers behind the plate.
StatCorner points out that, defensively, Montero led the league in terms of value with pitch framing, while Castillo found himself on the opposite side of the spectrum. The Cubs’ backstop’s defensive woes, namely with pitch framing, are long-documented, and his regression offensively in 2014 has led many to speculate what his future with the organization may be.