Cubs purchase catcher Maldonado from Royals
Jeff PassanESPN
CloseESPN MLB insider
Writer of “The Arm: Contained in the Billion-Greenback Thriller of the Most Useful Commodity in Sports activities”
The Chicago Cubs acquired catcher Martin Maldonado for left-hander Mike Montgomery, the reliever who secured the final out within the Cubs’ 2016 World Sequence championship season and can be a part of the Kansas Metropolis Royals, the groups introduced Monday.
Maldonado, a defensive-minded, 32-year-old catcher, may very well be a direct substitute for All-Star catcher Willson Contreras, who hit the injured checklist Monday with a pressure within the arch of his proper foot. Though Contreras is not anticipated to overlook a big period of time, Maldonado serves as a strong insurance coverage coverage to play alongside Victor Caratini, who has been a well-above-average backup.
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Maldonado has been among the best defensive catchers in baseball this season and was traded final July, too, going from the Los Angeles Angels to the Houston Astros. He signed a one-year, $2.5 million cope with Kansas Metropolis and began instead of Salvador Perez, who’s out for the 12 months with Tommy John surgical procedure.
As soon as Contreras returns, Maldonado will function a backup. The transfer might free Caratini for extra of a utility function to get him extra plate appearances — or maybe make him commerce bait because the Cubs look to reimagine a 50-44 staff that holds first place within the Nationwide League Central however has not reached its potential this season.
Montgomery, 30, was on the mound when Kris Bryant threw the ball to Anthony Rizzo to safe the ultimate out of the 2016 season. It was his first profession save and the spotlight of his Cubs tenure, which began that season.
Chosen by the Royals within the first spherical of the 2008 draft, Montgomery was a prime prospect earlier than being dealt in a commerce that netted Kansas Metropolis James Shields and Wade Davis. He was dealt quickly thereafter to Seattle and arrived in Chicago a 12 months later in 2016. Montgomery has vacillated between the beginning rotation and a reduction function, although he prefers to begin and is probably going to take action in Kansas Metropolis.
He has struggled this season, posting a 5.67 ERA in 20 reduction appearances and seeing his peripheral numbers endure as effectively. The Cubs have been making an attempt to deal him for months, sources instructed ESPN’s Jesse Rogers.
Montgomery comes with two extra seasons of membership management, which made him enticing to Kansas Metropolis. Maldonado might be a free agent after this season.