Report: Cubs Close To Trading For Miguel Montero
By Hayden Kane
The Chicago Cubs are looking for an upgrade at catcher, and recent MLB trade rumors suggests that they could be trying to make a deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks for Miguel Montero.
The Cubs might be one of the teams on the short list for stud starting pitcher Jon Lester, but that is not their only order of business as the MLB Winter Meetings heat up.
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Having missed out on top free agent catcher Russell Martin, the Cubs are looking for a different upgrade at that spot. Given the shallow nature of the free agent pool after Martin, Theo Epstein and the Chicago front office might end up looking to the trade market to find a catcher.
Now it sounds like the Cubs might be nearing a trade that will land them Arizona Diamondbacks’ catcher Miguel Montero. Not only would Montero bring a veteran presence behind the plate, but he would also bring some pop to a Chicago lineup that is already looking forward to the possibilities of having a wealth of young hitters.
Ken Rosenthal and Jon Morosi report that the Cubs are trying to trade for Montero:
#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 time table for this trade might move quickly.
Sources: #Cubs, #DBacks expected to talk about Montero again tonight. Teams have been engaged for weeks. Deal appears to be getting closer.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 9, 2014
As for the return in such a trade, the Cubs would dip into the pitching prospects they have available to get Montero, such as these trades usually go.
Sources: #DBacks would receive pitching prospects from #Cubs for Montero.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 9, 2014
From Arizona’s perspective, this is the benefit of having a position player to trade this winter. The natural asking price would be young pitching to help restock the farm system.
Also not to be overlooked: the fact that the Cubs have money to spend to make this deal work:
Miguel Montero is owed $40M over the next three years. Cubs would assume most, if not all, of $ with low-level prospects going to D-backs.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 9, 2014
Trading for Montero won’t move the needle like signing a Jon Lester, but it would qualify as a big move for the Cubs during an off-season when they plan on making a few.
Stay tuned to FanSided for all the latest on these trade talks and the latest grumblings at this year’s Winter Meetings.
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