MLB NEWS

Cubs acquire C Montero

The Sports Xchange

December 09, 2014 at 2:46 pm.

Montero, 31, hit .231 with 11 home runs last season but is highly rated as a defensive catcher including using advanced metrics. Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Miguel Montero could be the answer to the Chicago Cubs’ riddle at catcher.

The Arizona Diamondbacks finalized a deal on Tuesday to ship Montero to the Cubs for pitching prospects Jefferson Mejia and Zack Godley, both right-handers.

Chicago, which will be on the hook for the entirety of Montero’s remaining $40 million in salary for the next three seasons. Montero’s 2015 salary is $12 million.

Montero, 31, hit .231 with 11 home runs last season but is highly rated as a defensive catcher including using advanced metrics. He had been in the major leagues with the Diamondbacks since the 2006 season.

Chicago made a strong push to sign free agent Russell Martin, who chose to join the Toronto Blue Jays last month.

According to Yahoo Sports, the Cubs now will look to deal Welington Castillo, their starter last year behind the plate who batted .237 with 13 home runs and 46 RBIs in 110 games.