The Chicago Cubs have acquired All-Star catcher Miguel Montero from the Arizona Diamondbacks in a deal that has been in the works for a while now.
Seen as one of the best defensive catchers in baseball, Montero will also upgrade a catching position in Chicago that was less-than-stellar at the plate last season.
Montero hit just .243 this past season, but earned an All-Star appearance based in his stellar defense and an ability to handle Arizona’s pitching staff. His best season came in 2012 when he hit .280 and drove in 88 runs.
Going to Arizona in the deal are pitching prospects Zack Godley and Jeferson Mejia.
Godley, 24, posted a 3.09 ERA in 40 appearances (all in relief) at two different Single-A stops last season. He is a reliever by trade and figures to be a couple years from the majors.
On the other hand, Mejia is a bit further from the Big League club. The 20-year-old Dominican product put up a 2.48 ERA in 12 appearances for Chicago’s rookie league club this past year.
Neither were considered among Chicago’s top prospects.
Photo: CBS Sports