San Diego, CA (Sports Network) – The Chicago Cubs have acquired catcher Miguel
Montero from the Arizona Diamondbacks for a pair of low-level minor league
pitchers.
“I’m really excited, to be honest,” Montero told the Arizona Republic in a
phone interview. “I’m excited to go play for a team that has a lot of history
behind it and to play for a manager in Joe Maddon who I’ve enjoyed watching
manage baseball games. I’m really excited. I don’t know what else to say.”
The 31-year-old native of Venezuela, who is still owed $40 million over the
next three seasons, was an All-Star for the second time in 2014 when he
clubbed 13 homers, drove in 72 runs and batted .243. He also threw out almost
30 percent of runners attempting to steal.
Montero’s left-handed bat could help a Chicago team that last year ranked 21st
in the majors at the catcher’s spot with a .684 OPS.
Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by Arizona in 2001, Montero owns
a career .264 average with 97 homers, 448 RBI and a .421 slugging percentage
in 906 games over parts of nine big league seasons.
Right-handed pitchers Jeferson Mejia and Zack Godley will go to Arizona in the
deal.
