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D-backs get 2 pitching prospects for Montero Arizona acquires righties Mejia, Godley, sends veteran catcher to Cubs By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com http://m.dbacks.mlb.com/news/article/103577034/d-backs-get-pair-of-cubs-pitching-prospects-for-miguel-montero D-backs seek catcher after dealing Montero Club was able to shed payroll and obtain prospects, but now has hole to fill By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com http://m.dbacks.mlb.com/news/article/103650390/d-backs-seek-catcher-after-dealing-miguel-montero Collmenter assists in shopping spree to help teens in need Righty joins D-backs employees to spread joy to members of Homeward Bound program By Katie Krause / Arizona Diamondbacks http://m.dbacks.mlb.com/news/article/103686736/josh-collmenter-assists-in-shopping-spree-to-help-teens-in-need LUNGevity auction bids keep rising for Arizona offerings By Alyson Footer / MLB.com http://m.dbacks.mlb.com/news/article/103613538/lungevity-auction-bids-keep-rising-for-arizona-diamondbacks-offerings Diamondbacks' Miguel Montero headed to Chicago Cubs By Nick Piecoro / The Arizona Republic http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/diamondbacks/2014/12/09/arizona-diamondbacks-trade-miguel-montero-chicago-cubs/20154403/ Diamondbacks seem to be cooling on any more major additions By Zach Buchanan / The Arizona Republic http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/diamondbacks/2014/12/09/diamondbacks-winter-meeting-moves-cooling-off/20175407/ Yasmany Tomas contract is team-friendly for first four years By Jack Magruder / FOX Sports Arizona http://www.foxsports.com/arizona/story/yasmany-tomas-contract-arizona-diamondbacks-120914 Diamondbacks send Montero to Cubs for 2 minor-league pitchers By Jack Magruder / FOX Sports Arizona http://www.foxsports.com/arizona/story/diamondbacks-send-montero-to-cubs-for-2-minor-league-pitchers-120914

Miguel Montero with the Arizona Diamondbacks: By The Numbers By ArizonaSports.com http://arizonasports.com/42/1789953/Miguel-Montero-with-the-Arizona-Diamondbacks-By-The-Numbers Miguel Montero on Andrew McCutchen: 'Did we want to hit him? I think we did' By Adam Green / ArizonaSports.com http://arizonasports.com/42/1790010/Miguel-Montero-on-Andrew-McCutchen-Did-we-want-to-hit-him-I-think-we-did Arizona Diamondbacks trade Miguel Montero to Chicago Cubs By ArizonaSports.com http://arizonasports.com/42/1789918/Arizona-Diamondbacks-trade-Miguel-Montero-to-Chicago-Cubs Economics dictated Montero trade By Mark Brown / Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/article/economics-dictated-montero-trade Trading Montero was a good move By Brad Cesmat / Sports360AZ.com http://www.sports360az.com/2014/12/trading-montero-good-move-dbacks/

D-backs get Mejia, Godley in Montero deal Arizona acquires pitching prospects in exchange for veteran catcher By Sam Dykstra / MiLB.com http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20141209&content_id=103618476&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp&sid=milb Cubs get Montero from D-backs By Jerry Crasnick / ESPN.com http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/12005960/chicago-cubs-get-miguel-montero-arizona-diamondbacks-two-pitchers Cubs catch D-backs having clearance sale By Keith Law / ESPN.com http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/keith-law/post?id=3064 Cubs acquire Miguel Montero from Diamondbacks By Nick Piecoro & Bob Nightengale / USA Today http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2014/12/09/cubs-acquire-miguel-montero-from-diamondbacks/20153523/

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Cubs get their catcher, acquiring Miguel Montero in trade with D-backs By Mike Oz / Yahoo! Sports http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/cubs-get-their-catcher--acquiring-miguel-montero-in-trade-with-d-backs-211118053.html Diamondbacks are “listening to offers” for Wade Miley By Aaron Gleeman / NBCSports.com http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/12/10/diamondbacks-are-listening-to-offers-for-wade-miley/related/ As consolation prizes go, Cubs get a winner by trading for Miguel Montero By Jesse Spector / Sporting News http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2014-12-09/mlb-trade-rumors-cubs-diamondbacks-miguel-montero-russell-martin-blue-jays MLB Franchise Notes: D-Backs Ownership Reportedly Blocks Trade With Rival Dodgers By Sports Business Daily http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2014/12/08/Franchises/MLB-Fran-Notes.aspx Cubs acquire Miguel Montero from Diamondbacks By Chris Cotillo / SB Nation http://www.mlbdailydish.com/2014/12/9/7362891/cubs-acquire-miguel-montero-from-diamondbacks Cubs acquire catcher Miguel Montero from the Diamondbacks By Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-cubs-close-to-acquiring-miguel-montero-20141209-story.html Waiting for Lester at winter meetings By Ronald Blum / Associated Press http://www.contracostatimes.com/pittsburg/ci_27095031/waiting-lester-at-winter-meetings Red Sox fail to land Jon Lester so what's next? By Jen McCaffrey / MassLive.com http://www.masslive.com/redsox/index.ssf/2014/12/red_sox_fail_to_land_jon_leste.html

MLB NEWS December 10, 2014 • MLB.com http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb_news_index.jsp ASSOCIATED PRESS December 10, 2014 • Sports.yahoo.com http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/morenews MLB TRANSACTIONS December 10, 2014 • MLB.com http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions

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D-backs get 2 pitching prospects for Montero Arizona acquires righties Mejia, Godley, sends veteran catcher to Cubs By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com http://m.dbacks.mlb.com/news/article/103577034/d-backs-get-pair-of-cubs-pitching-prospects-for-miguel-montero SAN DIEGO -- The D-backs acquired a pair of Minor League right-handed pitchers, Jeferson Mejia and Zack Godley, from the Cubs on Tuesday in exchange for catcher Miguel Montero. Montero batted .243 in 136 games this past season, hitting 13 home runs and driving in 72 runs. The 31-year-old is owed $40 million over the next three years, and by moving him, it could provide the team with flexibility to add either another starting pitcher or another bat for the lineup. Moving Montero leaves the D-backs with backup Tuffy Gosewisch, an excellent defender who hit .225 this past season. It is likely the team would pursue another catcher via a trade. Last week, team president/CEO Derrick Hall said that the team's payroll was around $100 million, and that the organization would be more comfortable with it in the $90 million to $95 million range. The Montero deal appears to be a step in that direction. Montero is the longest-tenured D-backs player, having signed out of Venezuela in 2001, and he has been active in the community and popular in the clubhouse. ----

miguel montero -- ✔ @miggymont26 I want to say thank you to the Diamondbacks for 14 years in the organization. I made a lot of great friends and I’m going to miss them all. ---- "We definitely have an appreciation for what he's done for the organization and his impact in the clubhouse," general manager Dave Stewart said when asked about the possibility of dealing Montero before news of the talks with the Cubs leaked. "But this is the game of baseball, and so we're going to look at all options when it comes to our team and do things that we feel are going to be in the best interests of the Diamondbacks." Mejia, 20, was signed by the Cubs out of the Dominican Republic. He was ranked as the No. 17 prospect in the Cubs' system according to MLB.com. The 6-foot-7 Mejia can hit 97 mph with his fastball, but it usually sits between 92-94 with quality life and a downhill plane. Godley, 24, was selected by the Cubs in the 10th round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft. With Class A Daytona this past season, Godley was 3-2 with a 3.57 ERA in 29 relief appearances. Scouting reports:

Mejia: Part of the Cubs' aggressive international signing spree in 2013, Mejia signed for $850,000 out of the Dominican Republic. He would have been eligible to sign the year before, but MLB ruled him ineligible because of a discrepancy with his age. He made his pro debut this year in the Rookie-level Arizona League, going 2-4 with a 2.48 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 40 innings. Mejia is a long way away from the big leagues, but he has the pure stuff to pitch in the front half of a rotation. He already works at 92-94 mph and hits 97 with his fastball, using his 6-foot-7 frame to deliver it on a steep plane. His hard curveball and deceptive changeup lack consistency -- no surprise for a 20-year-old -- but both show promise. Godley: A 10th-round senior sign out of Tennessee for $35,000 in 2013, Godley transitioned from starting in college to relieving in pro ball. His velocity has risen in shorter stints, as he now works at 91-95 mph with his fastball after dealing at 88-91 mph in the rotation. He also throws a low-80s slider and added a cutter late in the 2014 season, during which he went 4-3 with a 3.09 ERA, 15 saves and 77 strikeouts in 55 1/3 innings between two Class A stops. The D-backs plan on trying to convert him back into a starter. -- Jim Callis

D-backs seek catcher after dealing Montero Club was able to shed payroll and obtain prospects, but now has hole to fill By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com http://m.dbacks.mlb.com/news/article/103650390/d-backs-seek-catcher-after-dealing-miguel-montero SAN DIEGO -- The D-backs said goodbye to their starting catcher and longest-tenured player Tuesday when they completed a deal to send Miguel Montero to the Cubs for a pair of Minor League pitchers, Jeferson Mejia and Zack Godley. While the move gave them some payroll flexibility by shedding the $40 million that was owed to Montero over the next three years and also added to the organization's pitching depth, it opened a hole that now needs to be filled. "We're going to add another catcher," D-backs general manager Dave Stewart said. "We have to add another catcher. We've looked at some possibilities out there and we're trying to find the best way to get that done. Whether that's trade or whether it's free agency." The D-backs do have Tuffy Gosewisch, who some say could profile as a starter given his abilities behind the plate, while others in the organization think he is an ideal backup. The Blue Jays would like to move Dioner Navarro, but his $5 million price tag for next year might not be a fit. The Yankees have Austin Romine, who is third in line behind Brian McCann and John Ryan Murphy on their depth chart. "To be honest with you, in the ideal world, if we were going to move Miggy, I wish we would have had another piece in place," Stewart said. "We didn't do this move without knowing there's other things we could possibly do."

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So does Stewart think he will be able to complete one of those moves before leaving the Winter Meetings on Thursday afternoon? "You guys see how I work," Stewart said. "Anything can happen overnight." The D-backs did acquire catching prospect Peter O'Brien from the Yankees last year in exchange for third baseman Martin Prado, but the team thinks he needs a little more Minor League seasoning before he's ready. "He's expressed to us that he's willing to put in as much work as he needs to be our Major League catcher in the near future versus down the road," Stewart said. "And so we're not going to press him. And like we're doing with our young pitchers, we're not going to press them to do things that they're not capable of doing. But if they put in the work and things turn out really well, then O'Brien will be ready to catch. We're expecting him at some point during the course of next year's season to show up for us. It's what we're hoping." One persistent rumor that continues to make its way through the lobby here in San Diego is the Marlins' interest in D-backs left-hander Wade Miley. The D-backs would no doubt ask for a lot in return given that Miley has proven to be durable and successful and is under club control. The Marlins do have some young pitching prospects that might appeal to the D-backs, but whether they would be willing to part with them is another question. It does not sound like the D-backs will be players in the free-agent market when it comes to pitching this offseason. Stewart made it sound like he'd like to take the money saved in the Montero trade and hold it in reserve in case the team is in contention and wants to make a move in-season. And if that doesn't happen, he would have more money to spend next offseason. "Though we do get money back into the organization, I'm not too sure that it's smart to spend it right now on pitching, especially when the market, in my opinion, is not the greatest market for pitching," Stewart said. "It will be a better market next year."

Collmenter assists in shopping spree to help teens in need Righty joins D-backs employees to spread joy to members of Homeward Bound program By Katie Krause / Arizona Diamondbacks http://m.dbacks.mlb.com/news/article/103686736/josh-collmenter-assists-in-shopping-spree-to-help-teens-in-need D-backs pitcher Josh Collmenter has found a new career -- personal shopper. Collmenter joined D-backs employees on Tuesday in treating 20 teenagers from Homeward Bound to a shopping spree at Target, helping pick out holiday gifts for family and friends. At one point, he even stepped in and took over as a checkout clerk, scanning and bagging all the items the kids purchased. "Seeing these kids put others before themselves really embraces the holiday spirit," said Collmenter. "It's a great opportunity for

the D-backs to give back, and seeing our employees volunteer and not just take them shopping but get to know each kid on a personal level is truly rewarding." Each teenager was paired with a D-backs employee and was allotted $250 to spend on much-needed clothing items and holiday gifts for their family. Perhaps the hardest part of the day for the teenagers was actually picking out something for themselves. "Family is the most important thing for these kids, because that is all that they have," said Maria Losolla, Homeward Bound program volunteer coordinator. "Therefore, picking something out for themselves might seem selfish to them, so they decide to pick out items for others rather than themselves." Homeward Bound works to break multi-generational cycles of homelessness, welfare dependence and domestic violence and to create self-reliance through housing and compassionate client-centered services. "Homeward Bound is an incredible organization, and these special families really appreciate our support. Our employees love this event and rush to sign up every year," said Castaldo. "The kids that are selected to participate in the shopping event with the D-backs earn the opportunity to spend the evening shopping for gifts. each child has displayed their commitment to create a better life for themselves and their family, and this is their reward in which the D-backs are honored to play a small part." The D-backs have partnered with Homeward Bound to provide kids with a holiday shopping experience for the past four years, and each year, D-backs employees look forward to this event. D-backs employee volunteer Kerri White was paired with a 12-year-old girl named Asharah who dreams of being an actress or a singer. One of the items she selected for her brother was a "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" dream light that lights up a room at night with the super heroes. "Volunteering for this event is so rewarding, because some of these kids don't have much, therefore, giving them the opportunity to buy something for someone in their family, they put a lot of thought into it," said White. "It is fun to get to know the teens and stepping outside yourself and into their world. Some of these kids have gone through a lot in the past, and it is great to see a smile on their face." Katie Krause is the manager of corporate communications for the Arizona Diamondbacks. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

LUNGevity auction bids keep rising for Arizona offerings By Alyson Footer / MLB.com http://m.dbacks.mlb.com/news/article/103613538/lungevity-auction-bids-keep-rising-for-arizona-diamondbacks-offerings SAN DIEGO -- If early returns are any indication, the money raised during this year's Winter Meetings auction could easily surpass the totals from the last two years. And the Arizona Diamondbacks offerings could be part of the reason why.

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The D-backs are auctioning an exciting package that includes lunch with World Series hero Luis Gonzalez, All-Star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and former All-Star closer J.J. Putz, plus a private tour of Chase Field and the opportunity to watch batting practice on the field. The package also offers the opportunity to watch batting practice on the field, a meet-and-greet with a D-backs player or coach and a photo in the dugout. The winner of this item, and three guests, will receive infield-box seats for that night's game. As of mid-morning Tuesday, five bids had been submitted, with the highest coming in at $1,025. Proceeds from the auction, presented by Major League Baseball, MLB Advanced Media, MLB Network and the 30 clubs, will go toward the LUNGevity Foundation, in memory of Baltimore Orioles public relations director Monica Barlow, who passed away from lung cancer in February at the age of 36. The auction began Sunday night and will continue until Thursday at 9 p.m. MT. All 30 teams have contributed unique prizes that could only be compiled by a group of people with special insider access to baseball's players and front offices. The D-backs are offering two more prizes in addition to the aforementioned All-Star lunch experience: Hall of Famer manager Tony La Russa coaching a kid's Little League team for a game during the 2015 season, and a private pitching lesson with renowned pitching coach Dave Duncan. Over the first two years, funds raised from the Winter Meetings auction, benefiting Stand Up To Cancer, raised approximately $250,000. The money raised this year will go toward cutting edge lung cancer research, with the potential to prolong and save millions of lives, through the efforts of LUNGevity. Barlow, a non-smoker and marathon runner whose disease was discovered after she sought medical attention for a nagging cough that wouldn't go away, began working with LUNGevity approximately two months after she was diagnosed and continued to support the non-profit foundation for the remainder of her life.

Diamondbacks' Miguel Montero headed to Chicago Cubs By Nick Piecoro / The Arizona Republic http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/diamondbacks/2014/12/09/arizona-diamondbacks-trade-miguel-montero-chicago-cubs/20154403/ SAN DIEGO – Spring training will begin in February and, Diamondbacks pitcher Daniel Hudson said, something won't feel right at Salt River Fields. Catcher Miguel Montero won't be there. "It's definitely going to be weird," Hudson said Tuesday, not long after the Diamondbacks shipped Montero to the Chicago Cubs in a cost-cutting deal that netted them a pair of pitching prospects.

"Whenever Miggy walks into a room you can always hear him coming. Some of the fun definitely got taken out of the team, I think." In dealing Montero, the Diamondbacks parted ways with their longest-tenured player, a homegrown talent who originally signed with the organization as an international free agent out of Venezuela in 2001 and debuted in the majors five years later. The Diamondbacks also shed $40 million in salary over the next three years, including a $12 million commitment for next season, bringing the team's 2015 payroll into the range of $90 million. "To move Miggy was a difficult decision and was not one that we took lightly," Diamondbacks General Manager Dave Stewart said. "You only have so many pieces, so many moves that you can do to get to where you want to. I played for 16 years, so eventually all the faces in the game change. The game stays the same, the faces change. Players in this day and time, they don't finish their careers usually where they start. That's just the nature of the game." Montero has long been a target of Chicago Cubs President Theo Epstein, who tried to acquire him six years ago when he was the general manager of the Boston Red Sox and again as recently as last season with the Cubs. "I'm really excited, to be honest," Montero said 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." The Diamondbacks dealt Montero after consecutive down years. For four seasons from 2009-2012, Montero posted a .283/.361/.457 line at the plate, ranking among the most productive and durable players at his position in the major leagues. But he hit a combined .237 the past two seasons. Stewart said the Diamondbacks are planning to add another catcher, either via trade or free agency; among the free-agent options is veteran David Ross, whom Stewart confirmed as a potential target. Clubs that have either catchers available or depth at the position include the Astros, Phillies, Padres and Marlins. The Diamondbacks continue to say they view Peter O'Brien, the slugger acquired in the Martin Prado deal with the Yankees in July, as their catcher of the future, meaning that the catcher they target for next season to go with backup Tuffy Gosewisch will likely be a short-term fix. "We're expecting him (O'Brien) at some point in the course of next year's season to show up (in the majors) for us," Stewart said. "That's what we're hoping." In exchange for Montero, the Diamondbacks received a pair of pitching prospects, right-handers Jeferson Mejia and Zack Godley. The Diamondbacks say they will give both a chance to start. Mejia appears to have the most upside of the two. According to a scout, Mejia's size (6-foot-7), velocity (mid-90s fastball), usable

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breaking ball and developing change-up make him an appealing acquisition. Another scout wasn't as high on him but saw the logic in the trade for the Diamondbacks. "It's an obvious salary dump, but they did take a flyer a high upside guy," the second scout said. "I suppose if everything breaks right and he picks up a secondary pitch and commands his fastball a little better, you could get a Number 3 or 4 starter." Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks continue to talk trades with other teams. They're said to be exploring the possibility of dealing left-hander Wade Miley, with the Texas Rangers a team known to have interest. The Diamondbacks are seeking a top prospect in return, a source said.

Diamondbacks seem to be cooling on any more major additions By Zach Buchanan / The Arizona Republic http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/diamondbacks/2014/12/09/diamondbacks-winter-meeting-moves-cooling-off/20175407/ SAN DIEGO – On Friday before he headed to the 2014 Winter Meetings here at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, Diamondbacks General Manager Dave Stewart said he had another starting pitcher and a left-handed bat on his wish list. After the first day of meetings Monday, Stewart intimated those were still priorities but said he was unsure of how likely it was that they would be addressed. After trading away catcher Miguel Montero – and clearing $40 million off the books over the next three years – the Diamondbacks don't sound likely to use that new flexibility to make a splash. "It'll be a better market next year," Stewart said. "I'd like to see where we're going to end up. Let's see where we are once we get out of spring training. I think we're going to be a better team." In particular, Stewart said he was less than impressed with the market for pitching, which would seem to be at odds with how some others in the industry feel. Many reports suggest that hitting is much scarcer of a resource this winter, while pitching-rich teams like the New York Mets have had trouble finding trade partners while the likes of Jon Lester and Max Scherzer hold the market hostage. On Monday, Stewart suggested that free agent James Shields had been an attractive name for the Diamondbacks since the end of the season, but also said he'd made no effort to reach out to Shields' representation. Judging by his comments Tuesday, that would seem even less likely to happen going forward. Stewart also gave a lukewarm answer a day earlier when asked about possible budget-friendly looking-to-rebound additions coming off injury, like starters Kris Medlen or Brandon Beachy. Lefty bats Instead of adding a lefthanded bat, the Diamondbacks traded away their best one in Montero. While that move had obvious financial benefits for Arizona, it also leaves a hole in the middle of the lineup.

Still, Stewart said Montero's departure does not put any more onus on finding a lefty slugger. "This move didn't dictate whether we go out and get a lefthanded bat," Stewart said. "There's just not a lot out there." On Monday, Stewart said the team had no interest in lefty free agent third baseman Chase Headley. Headley wouldn't really fit for Arizona anyway, considering he's likely to command a big payday and the team just signed Yasmany Tomas with the intention of giving him a shot at third. Other options for power from the left side could already be on the team. David Peralta slugged .450 in 348 big-league plate appearances, second-highest on the team. Prospect Jake Lamb has also shown off a career .553 slugging percentage in three seasons in the minors, although he would seem to be blocked by Tomas now. Stewart sees the potential in both, with Peralta contributing in the heart of the order sooner than Lamb. "David Peralta last year showed his ability, without a doubt," Stewart said. "With Jake, with minimal minor-league time and professional baseball time, obviously he's a prospect for us and we're hoping that he turns into a guy that we can put in the middle of our lineup." Tomas contract The details of Yasmany Tomas' six-year, $68.5 million deal are much more team-friendly in the short-term, according to a report from Fangraphs.com. The deal includes a $14 million signing bonus and salaries of $2 million, $4 million, $6 million and $10 million over the first four years. Tomas can opt out after that point or stick around to be paid $15.5 million and $17 million over the final two years, according to the report. Essentially, it means Tomas received a four-year, $36 million deal with a two-year player option worth $32.5 million.

Yasmany Tomas contract is team-friendly for first four years By Jack Magruder / FOX Sports Arizona http://www.foxsports.com/arizona/story/yasmany-tomas-contract-arizona-diamondbacks-120914 PHOENIX -- On the surface, Yasmany Tomas' six-year contract is remarkably similar to the one signed by Cuban countryman Jose Abreu last offseason. A closer inspection, however, shows a deal that appears to be Diamondbacks-friendly on the front end and weighted toward Tomas on the back. Tomas' new deal is worth $68.5 million, a half-million more than it took the White Sox to land Abreu, and both contracts have opt-out clauses. From there, things change dramatically, according to a source with knowledge of the deal.

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Tomas received a signing bonus of $14 million and is to receive a very manageable $22 million over the first four years of his contract, an average of $5.5 million per year, according to the source. The bulk of Tomas' salary, $32.5 million, is to be paid in the final two years of the deal (2019-20), providing Tomas stays in Arizona. Tomas salary is $2 million in 2015, $4 million in 2016, $6 million in 2017 and $10 million in 2018. The bonus is to be paid out across the first four years. At the same time, Tomas can opt out of his contract after four years and become a free agent, according to the source. In that case, Tomas would make himself available to the highest bidder while betting that he could earn more than $32.5 million on the open market. His first four seasons will indicate whether it is a gamble worth taking. Terms of Tomas' opt-out clause are significantly different than that of Abreu, who can opt out of the remaining years of his contract once he becomes arbitration eligible, according to a source. Under his deal, Abreu cannot become a free agent if he opts out but can choose to enter the arbitration pool rather than take his scheduled salary. He is to receive $24 million over the first three years of the deal and is to make $10.5 million in 2017, $11.5 million in 2018 and $12 million in 2019. He received a $10 million signing bonus.

Diamondbacks send Montero to Cubs for 2 minor-league pitchers By Jack Magruder / FOX Sports Arizona http://www.foxsports.com/arizona/story/diamondbacks-send-montero-to-cubs-for-2-minor-league-pitchers-120914 PHOENIX -- The Diamondbacks completed their fourth major offseason move by trading catcher Miguel Montero to the Chicago Cubs for two prospects Tuesday, but the swap is most properly viewed as two-layered move that started with the signing of Cuban slugger Yasmany Tomas. The addition of free agent Tomas -- who will be given an audition at third base -- gave the D-backs extra room to maneuver, since all it cost them was money, not personnel. Scouts believe that Tomas has game-changing power. With Tomas' bat in the lineup, the D-backs expect to be able to make up for the production that Montero provided over the last four seasons, when he averaged 14 home runs and 72 RBI despite missing six weeks of the 2013 with a back injury. And since Tomas' six-year, $68.5 million contract is more team-friendly for the next four seasons, the D-backs also should be able to reduce their 2015 payroll below $100 million, one of their offseason targets in addition to reworking the roster. Montero is to make $12 million this season and $14 million in 2016 and 2017, with the Cubs assuming all the money owed. "It's just one of those things -- I knew right out of the gate that when I signed the contract, the way it was written, I knew as soon as I hit $12 million I was going to be gone," Montero said.

Montero signed a five-year, $60 million extension in 2012 that paid $10 million in 2013 and 2014 before increasing the final three years. Montero, who bought a house in Phoenix last year, was so certain a deal was likely that he cleaned out his locker after the season, something he had never done in years before, "because I had the hunch I wasn't going to come back." Montero said he understood that the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cubs expressed interest in him, and he said he was told that he would be traded to the Dodgers, but when the D-backs sought final approval, a deal that would have involved Andre Ethier was nixed. "I heard the deal was done," Montero said. He said he has followed the Cubs since last year, noting the large number of prospects working their way through the system, including minor-league home run lead Kris Bryant, Javier Baez and Jorge Soler. The Cubs just signed free agent right-hander Jason Hammel and are reportedly making a strong push for free agent left-hander Jon Lester. "They rebuilt for a few years, and I think they are on the right track now. I'm happy to be part of that," Montero said. "It's not really disappointing. I was at the point in my career where I wanted to do something else. It was time for me to change. It was time for me and the Diamondbacks to go in different directions. They were great to me. The organization has great people. But it is time to move on. I'm excited for this new chapter. And here we are." Montero took to social media to thank the Diamondbacks for 14 years in the organization and to express his excitement about a new start in Chicago. ----

miguel montero -- ✔ @miggymont26 I want to say thank you to the Diamondbacks for 14 years in the organization. I made a lot of great friends and I’m going to miss them all. ---- ----

miguel montero -- ✔ @miggymont26 Excited for the next chapter in my career with a team with so much history and a bright future. See you soon Windy City! ---- One of the players D-backs acquired from the Cubs is right-hander Jeferson Mejia, a 6-foot-7 right-hander who turned 20 last August. Mejia signed for $850,000 two years ago and throws in the 92-94 mph range. He struck out 45 and gave up 30 hits in 40 innings in the rookie Arizona League last summer. The other is right-handed reliever Zack Godley, who had 15 saves, a 3.09 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 55.1 innings pitched for Single-A Kane County and Single-A Advanced Daytona. Godley,

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6-foot-3 and 235-pounds, was a 10th-round draft pick of the Cubs in 2013 out of the University of Tennessee. After acquiring Jeremy Hellickson to the rotation and projectable left-hander Robbie Ray to add to the rotation mix next spring, the D-backs appear to have two agenda items to address in their ambitious plan to re-emerge from a 98-loss season with the tools to make a splash. General manager Dave Stewart has said he would like to add a left-handed bat to hit between projected No. 3 hitter Paul Goldschmidt and power bats Tomas and Mark Trumbo in the lineup. The plan entering spring training is for Tomas to play third base and Trumbo to play right field. The new bat could be a switch-hitter. The D-backs also likely will look to add a catcher to pair with Tuffy Gosewisch, who slashed .225/.242/.310 with eight doubles, one home run and seven RBI in limited playing time (41 games) behind Montero last season. Top prospect Peter O'Brien, a catcher acquired from the New York Yankees at the July 31 trade deadline last season, is expected to be invited to spring training. While he has 66 home runs in 277 minor leagues games, it would be a stretch to consider him a candidate for the starting position since he has played only 76 games above the Class A level. O'Brien suffered a severely bruised shin when he fouled a ball off his leg after five games at Class AA Mobile last season, and he and missed the final month of the season. He made us for lost time with Salt River of the Arizona Fall League, where he slashed .256/.393/.512 with seven doubles and five homers in 25 games. The shin still bothered him slightly in the Fall League, but he is expected to be 100 percent in spring training. The D-backs have now shed starters Montero, Prado and Gerardo Parra and starting rotation member Brandon McCarthy since the middle of last season, in the process saving about $70 million over three years. Prado was owed $22 million through 2016, and Parra is expected to earn about $6.5 million in his final season of salary arbitration this winter. Montero, 31, is a two-time All-Star and has been the D-backs' starting catcher since the second half of 2009, although a knee injury cost him most of 2010. He led the major leagues in innings caught in 2011 and 2012 and ranks among the top five in throwing out potential base-stealers. He had a career-high 13 errors last sesaon, and some scouts believe his defense has slipped in recent seasons. Montero slashed .264/.342/.421 in 906 games with the D-backs, with 172 doubles, 97 homers and 448 RBI. He was an All-Star in 2011 and last season, when he had 11 homers and 52 RBI at the break before tailing off. He has hit .327 with four doubles and a homer in 16 games at Wrigley Field.

Miguel Montero with the Arizona Diamondbacks: By The Numbers By ArizonaSports.com http://arizonasports.com/42/1789953/Miguel-Montero-with-the-Arizona-Diamondbacks-By-The-Numbers

The Arizona Diamondbacks traded catcher Miguel Montero to the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, ending an era in which the organization employed one of the best defensive backstops in the majors. Montero was with the organization since 2001 when he signed as an amateur free agent and anchored the Diamondbacks' behind the plate since he took over starting catcher duties in 2007. Although not necessarily an offensive powerhouse, Montero made his presence known with his work in the field, building a reputation as a defensive stopper that helped him earn two selections to the National League All-Star team. With Montero on his way to the ivy-covered confines of Wrigley Field, here's a look at some of the numbers he put up while with the D-backs: .300 Montero was one of the D-backs' best hitters in their most recent playoff series, batting .300 with two doubles, two RBI and three runs scored in the 2011 National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers. 2 Montero was twice a National League All-Star. His first nod came in 2011, and his second came last season. 4 (part I) The most home runs Montero has hit off of any single pitcher is four, which he crushed off right-hander Jason Marquis in 25 plate appearances. Incidentally, Marquis and Montero were teammates for a brief time in 2011. 4 (part II) Montero developed a reputation as one of the steadiest men behind the plate, as he committed the second fewest errors among National League catchers in four different seasons -- 2009, '11, '12 and '14. 4.1 Although largely lauded for his abilities in the field, Montero was impressive enough on defense and at the bat to post a career-high 4.1 Wins Above Replacement in 2011 and '12. Along with his gaudy caught-stealing percentages, Montero hit 18 home runs for 86 RBI in 2011 and 15 home runs and 88 RBI in 2012. 12 Montero helped turn 12 double plays last season, the highest total among National League catchers. 40 Montero made life a bit more difficult for jumpy base-runners, leading the league in 2011 by throwing out 40 percent of potential base stealers. Although the number was the best in the National League that season, it wasn't even Montero's career high, which he achieved in 2012 after stopping 42 percent of stolen base attempts. 82 Since becoming the D-backs' full-time catcher in 2011, Montero appeared in 533 of 648 possible games (82 percent). The 131

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games he appeared in in 2014 were the third-most among all MLB catchers. 97 Montero hit 97 home runs as a Diamondback, including a career-best 18 in 2011.

Miguel Montero on Andrew McCutchen: 'Did we want to hit him? I think we did' By Adam Green / ArizonaSports.com http://arizonasports.com/42/1790010/Miguel-Montero-on-Andrew-McCutchen-Did-we-want-to-hit-him-I-think-we-did What was arguably the most interesting series in the Arizona Diamondbacks' 2014 season was its first in the month of August. Let's start from the beginning. Late in Friday night's game, with the Pittsburgh Pirates comfortably ahead in the ninth inning, D-backs first baseman Paul Goldschmidt was lost for the remainder of the season after being hit in the hand with an Ernesto Frieri pitch. The following evening, with the Pirates again up big, Arizona reliever Randall Delgado drilled Pittsburgh star Andrew McCutchen square in the back with a fastball. Many believed the D-backs meant to hit the outfielder, which they denied. Whether or not you believe the D-backs did (or even should have) hit a player intentionally is a matter of opinion and debate, but one of the things that supposedly led credence to the idea that it was done on purpose was an image of D-backs catcher Miguel Montero giving what appeared to be a "special" and, well, not safe for our website signal right before the pitch. Tuesday afternoon, the long-time D-back Montero was traded to the Chicago Cubs. In the evening, he chatted with Burns and Gambo on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM about many topics, including that sign. "I called a fastball in," the catcher said. "If you look at it, the film was like, everybody looked at it and they said, 'Well, it was too obvious that he called it to hit him.' "I'm like, 'No, it's not too obvious. I always put that finger like that when I call a fastball in.'" Believe that if you want, but soon after Montero offered up another thought on the pitch. "Did we want it to hit him? I think we did," he said. "I'm not going to lie, I mean I think we did. But did I call the pitch to hit him? No, I didn't even go to the mound and tell him to hit him because it was a brand new pitcher coming in to pitch. So if he got the order to hit him, he probably got it from somebody else, because I didn't pick up the phone and call to the bullpen." Fair enough? For those who may not remember, Delgado was promptly ejected from the game following the pitch. After the game, he

said, "I was trying to work my corners more. I was trying to mix my pitches. I think maybe I didn't have control tonight."

Arizona Diamondbacks trade Miguel Montero to Chicago Cubs By ArizonaSports.com http://arizonasports.com/42/1789918/Arizona-Diamondbacks-trade-Miguel-Montero-to-Chicago-Cubs The Arizona Diamondbacks traded catcher and two-time All-Star Miguel Montero to the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday. In return, the Diamondbacks will get two players at the Single-A level, according to Arizona Sports' John Gambadoro. ---- John Gambadoro @Gambo987 One of the pitchers the Dbacks are getting from Chicago is Jefferson Mejia 6-7 righty who is 19 years old. ---- The other is Zach Godley, also a right-handed pitcher. The Cubs have agreed to take on all of the $40 million still owed to Montero over the three years that are still left on his contract. Montero signed a five-year deal with the Diamondbacks in May of 2012 for $60 million that runs through 2017. The catcher is set to make $12 million in 2015 and $14 million in 2016 and 2017. Montero played the first nine seasons of his major league career with the Diamondbacks, hitting 97 home runs and 448 RBI with a .264 batting average. Chosen as an All-Star in 2011 and 2014, the catcher earned recognition as a defensive force behind the plate, throwing out 35 percent of attempted stolen base runners since 2010 with a .991 fielding percentage over that time. Montero joined the organization in 2001, after signing as an amateur free agent out of Venezuela. The catcher had his best statistical season in 2011, hitting 18 home runs and 86 RBI while leading the league by throwing out 40 percent of base stealers. Montero also had a career high Wins Above Replacement in 2011, with a 4.1 WAR that was good for fourth among catchers in the majors. This move leaves the Diamondbacks with only one catcher on their 40-man roster, 30-year-old Tuffy Gosewisch. Gosewisch batted .225 with one home run and seven RBI in 41 games last season, his second in the majors. Mejia, hails from the Dominican Republic and pitched in the Rookie League for the last two years. MLB.com listed him as the Cubs' 17th-best prospect prior to the 2014 season. Godley, 24, was a 10th round pick of the Cubs back in 2013 out of the University of Tennessee. In two seasons in the minors, he has compiled a 6-3 record with a 2.74 ERA in 54 relief appearances. Godley has struck out 105 batters in 82 innings and registered 15 saves.

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In four years of college ball (three at Tennessee, one at Spartanburg Methodist College), Godley went 16-11 with a 3.67 ERA in 67 games (25 starts). He struck out 215 and walked 81 in 251 innings.

Economics dictated Montero trade By Mark Brown / Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/article/economics-dictated-montero-trade SAN DIEGO – This was a deal the Diamondbacks probably did not want to make but economics dictated the transaction. With three years left on a contract in which he is owed $40 million, the Diamondbacks’ brain trust quickly came to the conclusion that catcher Miguel Montero was not worth the investment. Despite Montero’s decade and one-half of service to the Arizona organization, his signing out of Caracas, Venezuela in 2001 as an 18 year-old, his ascendancy to All-Star status, the respect he generated from the pitching staff, his ebullient personality and leadership in the clubhouse, these factors that meant nothing. The bottom line was the financial commitment of a Kevin Towers-generated five-year, $60 million deal which Montero signed on May 26, 2012. The staggering amount for a catcher with advancing age and diminishing tools made Montero expendable. Montero will be 32 next July 9 and the Diamondbacks already have prospect Peter O’Brien penciled in as Montero replacement. That opening behind the plate was finalized Monday night and announced here at Winter Meetings on Tuesday. That’s when the Chicago Cubs acquired Montero in a trade for Zack Godley and Jeferson Mejia, a pair of right-handed pitching prospects. As part of the deal, the Cubs will assume all of the $40 million owed to Montero. “This is the direction we want to go,” said Diamondbacks’ general manager Dave Stewart. “Since I arrived here, the pattern is build depth in the pitching staff and we did that with the two we acquired.” Citing the prospects trio of Archie Bradley, Braden Shipley and Aaron Blair as a core, Stewart said the addition of Godley and Mejia could be major league-ready within a short period of time. Both are power pitchers and Mejia, at 20-years-old and 6-7, throws constantly in the upper 90s. Mejia is projected as starter while Godley, at 6-3, 235 pounds, worked as a reliever in the Cubs organization. The Diamondbacks plan to convert Godley to a starter. Combined with Single-A Kane County and Single-A Advanced Daytona, Godley, out of the University of Tennessee, went 4-3 with 15 saves, a 3.09 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 40 games. Mejia appeared in 12 games (two starts) for the Arizona League Mesa Cubs last season. He was 2-4 with a 2.48 ERA (11 ER in 40.0 IP) and .204 opponents average with 17 walks and 45 strikeouts. He held righties to a .192 average (20-for-104).

De Jon Watson, the Diamondbacks’ director of baseball operations, indicated Godley would likely start at Double-A Mobile while Mejia would open the 2015 season the Midwest League, or equivalent to Single A. For their part, the Cubs acquire Montero, a veteran catcher (.243, 13 home runs, 72 RBIs in 136 games in 2014) who will likely share playing time with Welington Castillo (.237, 13 home runs). “The key for us was his left-handed bat,” said Cubs’ manager Joe Maddon. “I really don’t know him but played against him in inter-league play. He’s an All-Star, commands a strong rapport with the pitching staff and a history of production with the bat. It’s a great step for us.” For now, Stewart is in search of a catcher. “Before we made the trade, we thought out all scenarios and possibilities,” said Stewart. “We definitely need a catcher and we’ll get one either by trade or free agency.” When a reporter asked about prospective catchers, Stewart said 37-year-old David Ross is on the Diamondbacks’ radar screen. Sought by several clubs, Ross was initially rumored to San Diego and help mentor pitchers Tyson Ross, Andrew Cashner and Ian Kennedy. While O’Brien grows in the minors, Ross would be considered an ideal stop-gap Acquired last July from the New York Yankees for Martin Prado, O’Brien had a strong Arizona Fall League and will likely start the 2015 season at Triple-A Reno. Depending on his development, O’Brien could be on a short track to the major leagues. “At this point, we will not press him,” Stewart said of O'Brien. “Let him develop but I can assure you this will not be a two, three year timetable. We’re expecting him to be here within the next year.” By unloading Montero, the Diamondbacks pocket $40 million but Stewart indicated, “we’re not in a hurry to spend this money.” Now, Tuffy Gosewisch, who appeared in only 41 games last season, is elevated to the starting position. That’s at least for now but Gosewisch, who will be 32 in the middle of next season, has never played more than 109 games in any of his professional seasons. That was for Double-A Reading in the Phillies’ organization during the 2011 season. Clearly, the question of Gosewisch’s durability will be a priority issue at the commencement of spring training. At best, Gosewisch will likely split the season with whom even Stewart signs. In the interim, the Diamondbacks wait for O’Brien to develop and to carry his powerful bat into the Arizona line-up.

Trading Montero was a good move By Brad Cesmat / Sports360AZ.com

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http://www.sports360az.com/2014/12/trading-montero-good-move-dbacks/ SAN DIEGO-No surprise that Miguel Montero is a former Diamondback. I’m not going to throw dirt on him going out the door, but after 14 years his time in Arizona needed to come to an end just from a pure financial standpoint(owed 40-million). This isn’t a team that is in “win now” mode. Time to retool behind home plate. Montero should do well in Chicago and the players coming over from the Cubs are pitching prospects. General Manager Dave Stewart told reporters earlier today that the team was going to add another catcher so stay tuned. As for the state of the 2015 Arizona Diamondbacks as we sit here tonight, it’s clearly a work in progress. Along with still needing to add help behind the plate(though Peter O’Brien is their catcher of the future) there is a log jam(competition) in the outfield and the pitching still doesn’t have what I consider to be a top of the rotation guy. The cupboard isn’t bare, but after two days here in San Diego there still needs to be more work in order to excite the fan base. Let’s not forget that the 2014 season produced the smallest average attendance in the history of the franchise. The reason for optimism offensively would be IF Goldschmidt, Trumbo, and Yasmany Tomas stay healthy, that’s seem to be a very tough middle of the order to navigate through for opposing pitchers.

D-backs get Mejia, Godley in Montero deal Arizona acquires pitching prospects in exchange for veteran catcher By Sam Dykstra / MiLB.com http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20141209&content_id=103618476&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp&sid=milb The Cubs got the catching help they wanted, but it may take years before we can tell if they gave up too much to get it. In a deal that sent veteran backstop Miguel Montero to the north side of Chicago, the D-backs acquired right-handed pitching prospects Jeferson Mejia and Zack Godley, according to tweets by 670Sports.com's Bruce Levine and the Arizona Republic's Nick Piecoro. While Montero is undoubtedly the centerpiece of the deal, Mejia is the more notable prospect headed to Arizona. The 20-year-old right-hander, who was signed for $850,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2013, was ranked as the Cubs' No. 17 prospect at the time of the trade on the strength of his 6-foot-7 frame and 65-grade fastball, which can touch 97 mph according to MLB.com. He made his stateside debut this summer in the Rookie-level Arizona League, where he posted a 2.48 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with 45 strikeouts and 17 walks in 40 innings. He made 12 appearances at the level, two of which were starts. Besides his heater, Mejia also possesses a curveball and a changeup, though both offerings lack consistency. Given his inexperience, he's likely ticketed to start 2015 at extended spring

training with an assignment to Class A Short Season Hillsboro or Rookie-level Missoula not far behind. By comparison, Godley was on many lists of top Cubs prospects but has pitched well since the Cubs took him in the 10th round out of the University of Tennessee in 2013. The 24-year-old right-hander posted a 3.09 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, .232 average-against and remarkable 12.5 K/9 with 15 saves across 40 appearances (55 1/3 innings) between Class A Kane County and Class A Advanced Daytona this summer. After spending most of the season in the Florida State League, he'll likely try to carry those strong strikeout numbers to Double-A Mobile in 2015. Montero is likely to work as part of a platoon behind the plate with new Cubs teammate Welington Castillo in Chicago. The 31-year-old left-handed hitter had a .243/.329/.370 line with 13 homers and 40 RBIs in 136 games with Arizona last season. He threw out 29 percent of would-be basestealers and is known as one of the best pitch framers in the game. He is owed $40 million over the next three seasons.

Cubs get Montero from D-backs By Jerry Crasnick / ESPN.com http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/12005960/chicago-cubs-get-miguel-montero-arizona-diamondbacks-two-pitchers SAN DIEGO -- The Chicago Cubs acquired catcher Miguel Montero from the Arizona Diamondbacks for two minor leaguers on Tuesday. In return for Montero, the Cubs sent right-handed pitchers Jeferson Mejia and Zack Godley to the Diamondbacks. Montero, 31, is a .264 career hitter with a .763 OPS over parts of nine seasons in Arizona. He made the National League All-Star team in 2011 and 2014. He is in the middle of a five-year, $60 million contract and has $40 million owed to him over the next three seasons. The Montero trade marks another move in an already busy offseason for the Diamondbacks, who have already acquired pitcher Jeremy Hellickson from Tampa Bay in a trade, sent shortstop Didi Gregorius to the New York Yankees and signed Cuban outfielder Yasmany Tomas to a six-year, $68.5 million contract as a free agent. Trade talks between the Cubs and Diamondbacks appeared to hit a lull late Monday night, according to a person familiar with the discussions, but Chicago ratcheted up its offer to bring the deal to fruition. The Cubs recently hired former Arizona coach Henry Blanco, and he is expected to continue to mentor Montero on the defensive side during the catcher's transition to Chicago. Montero improved his pitch-framing last season and threw out almost 30 percent of runners attempting to steal. Montero, a left-handed hitter, brings an offensive upgrade to a Chicago catching contingent that ranked 21st in the majors with a .684 OPS last season. Montero could be part of a platoon in Chicago with Welington Castillo, a righty bat who hit .301 with an .855 OPS against lefties in 2014.

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The 20-year-old Mejia went 2-4 with a 2.48 ERA in 12 games (two starts) for the Cubs' rookie league affiliate in Mesa. A native of the Dominican Republic, this was his first year pitching in the United States after signing with Chicago as an undrafted free agent. Godley, 24, was 4-3 with 15 saves and a 3.09 ERA in 40 appearances for Chicago's Class A affiliates in Kane County and Daytona. The former University of Tennessee pitcher was a 10th-round selection by the Cubs in the 2013 draft.

Cubs catch D-backs having clearance sale By Keith Law / ESPN.com http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/keith-law/post?id=3064 The Chicago Cubs lost out on the one true everyday catcher available in free agency, Russell Martin, when he signed a five-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, which meant they'd either have to patch something together from part-time players or take the trade route to find a full-time option. Fortunately for them, the Arizona Diamondbacks happened to be having a clearance sale on everyday catchers. The D-backs traded Miguel Montero to the Cubs for two low-value prospects. Montero was a star-caliber starter for several years, with three 3-WAR seasons or better in a four-year span, but his offensive production took a nosedive after 2012 and hasn't bounced back, in large part because he no longer murders fastballs like he did in his mid-20s. He's a premium defensive catcher, a very good pitch-framer (a repeatable skill as well as a clarion call for automated calling of balls and strikes) and receiver with about average ability to control the running game. I don't hold out much hope for the return of his bat -- if you don't hit for power in Phoenix, why would you hit for power closer to sea level? -- but his glove presents a huge upgrade over Welington Castillo's, especially considering the latter rated among the worst pitch-framers in the game in 2013 and 2014. The big return for the Diamondbacks is financial, saving the $40 million owed to Montero over the next three years. They gained two fringe prospects in right-handed starter Jeferson Mejia and right-handed reliever Zack Godley, with Mejia being the upside play and Godley being the slightly more probable big leaguer. Mejia has arm strength and projection with a pretty clean delivery overall, but presently lacks command or an above-average secondary pitch. He's already 20 and has yet to get out of rookie ball. Meanwhile, Godley was 24 years old this year while dominating high-A hitters but has just a 55 fastball, and his numbers were partly the product of his age and experience levels relative to his competition. The trade of Montero leaves Arizona without a catcher; the only backstop remaining on their 40-man roster is Arizona Fall League legend Tuffy Gosewisch, and they didn't have a catching prospect anywhere in full-season ball in 2014. The free-agent market is close to empty at this point, with only Geovany Soto having any chance to play more than a backup role, so the Diamondbacks will have to join the list of teams looking for a catcher via trade. The Astros and A's both have a surplus at the position, while the Cubs would likely part with Castillo (although he could just as easily have gone to Arizona in Tuesday's trade). The Yankees, quiet for the most part this offseason, have several reserves who might be able to play every day for someone else,

notably J. R Murphy, if the D-backs are just looking for a catcher who makes the minimum salary.

Cubs acquire Miguel Montero from Diamondbacks By Nick Piecoro & Bob Nightengale / USA Today http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2014/12/09/cubs-acquire-miguel-montero-from-diamondbacks/20153523/ SAN DIEGO – The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a deal that will send Miguel Montero to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for a pair of lower-level pitching prospects, a trade that will see the club shed the remaining three years and $40 million on Montero's contract. In exchange, the Diamondbacks will receive a pair of pitching prospects, right-handers Jeferson Mejia and Zack Godley. Montero, who first signed with the Diamondbacks as an international free agent in 2001, was the team's longest tenured player. He had been in the majors since the end of 2006 season. "I'm really excited, to be honest," Montero said 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." Montero said he was grateful to the Diamondbacks organization for giving him his first chance to play professionally. "It's a great organization and great front office people," he said. "It was an honor to be a part of the Diamondbacks for such a long time. A little bit of mixed emotions right now, but not that much because I was expecting it. I knew I was going to get traded as soon as the season ended. I had a hunch. "But right now, I'm really excited. I'm going to get to experience something else. I've never been with another team and another organization and I'm excited to experience it." It's unclear what the Diamondbacks will do at catcher to go along with Tuffy Gosewisch, who spent last season as Montero's backup.

Cubs get their catcher, acquiring Miguel Montero in trade with D-backs By Mike Oz / Yahoo! Sports http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/cubs-get-their-catcher--acquiring-miguel-montero-in-trade-with-d-backs-211118053.html Chicago is the center of the baseball universe right now, as Yahoo Sports' Tim Brown wrote Tuesday. So, Miguel Montero, come on down, you're the next guy coming to the center of the universe. It's the Chicago Cubs making a trade this time, acquiring Montero, the catcher they needed, from the Arizona Diamondbacks. It's a trade that had been talked about since Monday night, with our own Jeff Passan sharing some of the terms in play — mainly, the Cubs have to pay almost all of the $40 million owed to Montero over the next three seasons. Fox Sports' Jon Morosi was the first to report the deal was finalized.

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The Cubs are OK taking on the contract because they missed out on free agent Russell Martin, and Montero has shown he could be a useful offensive player, just not recently. In 2011, for instance, Montero was an All-Star, hitting .282 with 18 homers and 86 RBIs. Last season, that batting average slipped to .243, while his OPS fell to .699 from .829 in 2012. Montero's 31, so the Cubs hope he can rebound in a new city and in a lineup full of young hitters. For the Diamondbacks, this was mostly a contract-shedding moving. They're getting two low-level prospects in return: pitchers Jeferson Mejia and Zack Godley, according to Nick Piecoro at the Arizona Republic. Mejia is a 20-year-old from the Dominican Republic who pitched 40 innings in the Arizona League for the Cubs last year with a 2.48 ERA. Godley is 24 and had a 3.09 ERA in 40 Single-A appearances last year. He was drafted in the 10th round in 2013. The Cubs still have work to do. Pitching mostly. But now they've got the guy those pitchers would be throwing the ball to and, at least, they didn't pay $82 million to get him.

Diamondbacks are “listening to offers” for Wade Miley By Aaron Gleeman / NBCSports.com http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/12/10/diamondbacks-are-listening-to-offers-for-wade-miley/related/ Having already traded a one-time building block player in catcher Miguel Montero the Diamondbacks are now willing to deal starter Wade Miley. Bob Nightingale of USA Today reports that Arizona is “listening to offers” on the 28-year-old left-hander, who struggled this year with a 4.34 ERA in 33 starts. Miley had a 3.33 ERA in 2012 and a 3.55 ERA in 2013, and his secondary numbers this year weren’t as bad as his ERA. He’s arbitration eligible for the first time and under team control through 2017, so presumably the Diamondbacks would want a significant return for him.

As consolation prizes go, Cubs get a winner by trading for Miguel Montero By Jesse Spector / Sporting News http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2014-12-09/mlb-trade-rumors-cubs-diamondbacks-miguel-montero-russell-martin-blue-jays SAN DIEGO — The Cubs lost out to the Blue Jays in the Russell Martin free agent sweepstakes, but may have come out ahead of the game behind the plate by trading for Diamondbacks catcher Miguel Montero on Tuesday. Montero is not the pitch-framing dynamo that Martin is, but he has been above league average for throwing out base stealers each of the last five seasons, and his bat is on par, as both players have a career OPS+ of 103. The Venezuelan backstop has much less accumulated wear and tear on his body, having caught 837 games in his career compared to 1,121 for his Canadian counterpart. That’s not to say Montero is not durable, as he has caught at least 110 games

for each of the last five years, including three years over 130. The Cubs did have to give up Jeferson Mejia and Zack Godley to get Montero, but Mejia is a 20-year-old who pitched in rookie ball this year, and the 24-year-old Godley has not been above Single-A. Of lesser import for 2015, but an important consideration overall, is that while both catchers are 31, the Cubs are getting Montero for three years and $40 million, while the Blue Jays wound up paying Martin $82 million for five years. The Cubs may not appear to be working with a budget as they chase big-ticket starting pitching this winter, but a couple extra million dollars can make a big difference on the bench. Yes, Martin’s deal with the Blue Jays is front-loaded, giving Toronto more flexibility for 2015, but the back end of that deal is going to be onerous. If health issues strike an over-30 catcher, which is not uncommon by any stretch of the imagination, the Cubs are in far less trouble than the Blue Jays. The only question is whether the Cubs are overthinking things, given that Welington Castillo remains under team control for three more seasons. The 27-year-old backstop was not great with the bat in 2014, hitting .237/.296/.389, but he did hit 13 homers and has a .723 career OPS while consistently performing well on defensive metrics across the board.

MLB Franchise Notes: D-Backs Ownership Reportedly Blocks Trade With Rival Dodgers By Sports Business Daily http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2014/12/08/Franchises/MLB-Fran-Notes.aspx FOXSPORTS.com's Ken Rosenthal cited sources as saying that D-Backs ownership “declined to give final approval” to a trade that would have sent C Miguel Montero and prospects to the Dodgers for CF Andre Either and C Tim Federowicz. Montero is “said to be a favorite” of Managing General Partner Ken Kendrick. The D-Backs also “might not want to deal” within the NL West or with their former GM, Josh Byrnes, who is now Dodgers Senior VP/Baseball Operations (FOXSPORTS.com, 12/6). In Phoenix, Nick Piecoro noted the D-Backs and Dodgers have had "bad blood in recent years, and it could be that Kendrick did not want to send the club's longest-tenured player to its division rival" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 12/7). STRAIGHT CASH, HOMIE: In Tampa, Tom Jones noted new Rays manager Kevin Cash is “now the youngest manager” in MLB and his “next game as a major-league manager will be his first.” Jones noted Rays President of Baseball Operations Matt Silverman should be praised for the move and wrote, "Go big or go home. Malaise has set in with the Rays. Time for a change, a big change.” They could “use something new, something different, something outside the box.” The possibilities are “worth the risk” (TAMPABAY.com, 12/5). BEARING DOWN: Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein said that he “envisions a time when the Cubs are the ‘feared team’ in free agency.” He said, “We're not the Dodgers, and we're not the Yankees. But there are still plenty of things we can do. We have a lot of resources at our disposal. We're not going to complain about it. We're a team with a healthy enough financial situation and a lot of young players who

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give us flexibility to be very impactful in the marketplace” (AP, 12/5). DEE'S DAY: In Boston, Nick Cafardo wrote Padres President & CEO Mike Dee deserves credit, as he is “trying to create a baseball atmosphere in San Diego again.” Dee “got the OK to allow GM A.J. Preller to acquire a couple of top hitters to revamp the worst offensive team” in MLB. Dee, a former Red Sox COO, is “trying to create that Red Sox feel out west” (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/7).

Cubs acquire Miguel Montero from Diamondbacks By Chris Cotillo / SB Nation http://www.mlbdailydish.com/2014/12/9/7362891/cubs-acquire-miguel-montero-from-diamondbacks SAN DIEGO -- The Cubs and Diamondbacks have swung the second major trade of the Winter Meetings, with catcher Miguel Montero being traded to Chicago in exchange for right-handers Zach Godley and Jeferson Mejia, as first reported as complete by Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com. The Cubs are expected to pay most of Montero's remaining salary, though Arizona may be sending some money in the deal as well. Montero, 31, will immediately slot into the Cubs' starting catching role, replacing Welington Castillo, who is being shopped by the team at this point. The North Siders have been looking to switch up their catching situation all offseason, having interest in Russell Martin (before he signed with the Jays) and consistently pursuing David Ross. Montero is owed $40 million over the next three seasons, representing a significant financial commitment for a Cubs' team that has expressed a willingness to spend this offseason. The two-time All-Star hit .243/.329/.370 with thirteen home runs and 72 RBI for the D-Backs last season, and is a career .264/.342/.421 hitter in nine major league seasons. Godley, 24, was the Cubs' tenth round pick in 2013 and spent his season split between Single-A Kane County and High-A Daytona. In that time, he posted a 3.09 ERA in 40 relief appearances, though he is not listed among the top 20 prospects on MLB.com's rankings of a deep Cubs' system. Mejia, 20, spent the year with the Cubs' rookie-level affiliate, posting a 2.48 ERA in 40 innings over twelve appearances (two starts). MLB.com ranked him as the seventeenth best prospect in the Cubs' system at the time of the trade, citing his above-average fastball and promising off-speed pitches as reasons to be hopeful about his future.

Cubs acquire catcher Miguel Montero from the Diamondbacks By Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-cubs-close-to-acquiring-miguel-montero-20141209-story.html SAN DIEGO -- The Chicago Cubs have acquired two-time National League All-Star catcher Miguel Montero from the Arizona Diamondbacks. The left-handed hitting Montero was acquired for minor league pitchers Jeferson Mejia and Zack Godley, a source confirmed

Tuesday. The deal is expected to be announced once Montero, 31, passes a physical examination. After the deal was announced, Montero tweeted: "I want to say thank you to the Diamondbacks for 14 years in the organization. I made a lot of great friends and I’m going to miss them all. Excited for the next chapter in my career with a team with so much history and a bright future. See you soon Windy City!" Montero, who will earn $40 million over the next three seasons, gives the Cubs a seasoned catcher with a solid knack for framing pitches and working with younger players. "It really gives us a solid presence in the catching position," manager Joe Maddon said. "This is a guy who has caught a lot of games. We’re a little concerned about that. We want to try to be able to dole out the work as we move forward with Wel (Castillo). But for right now, it’s a tremendous new addition. It’s a great first step building into this winter, so we’re really excited." Montero is a lifetime .264 hitter who slumped to .243 with 13 home runs and 72 RBIs in 2014. The addition of Montero affects Welington Castillo, who batted .237 with a .296 on-base percentage in 2014. President Theo Epstein said Castillo will face left-handed starters. Epstein said several teams inquired about Castillo once they acquired Montero but there are no plans to trade Castillo. While waiting for a decision on free agent left-hander Jon Lester, the Cubs have strengthened their rosters with the additions of pitcher Jason Hammel and Montero. Mejia, 20, is a 6-foot-7 right-hander who posted a 2-4 record and 2.48 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 40 innings for the Cubs' rookie Arizona League team in 2014. He signed for an $850,000 bonus out of the Dominican Republic in 2013. Godley, 24, a 10th round pick in the 2013 draft out of the University of Tennessee, was 4-3 with a 3.09 ERA with 77 strikeouts in 55 1/3 innings in 40 appearances at Class-A Kane County and Daytona.

Waiting for Lester at winter meetings By Ronald Blum / Associated Press http://www.contracostatimes.com/pittsburg/ci_27095031/waiting-lester-at-winter-meetings SAN DIEGO (AP) — As players and teams waited for Jon Lester to make a decision and start defining the high-end pitching market, baseball's winter meetings opened Monday with Oakland jettisoning yet another All-Star and the Chicago White Sox adding a closer. In the first swap of the four-day session, the Athletics sent first baseman-outfielder Brandon Moss to Cleveland for minor league infielder Joey Wendle. That followed Oakland's trade last month of third baseman Josh Donaldson to Toronto. The White Sox agreed to a $46 million, four-year contract with David Robertson, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. The person spoke on condition of anonymity

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because the deal had not yet been announced. Chicago also was working to acquire pitcher Jeff Samardzija in a trade from the Athletics. Big-name moves among free-agent starting pitchers are taking more time to percolate. Traded from Boston to Oakland last summer, Lester was sought by the Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs. Athletics general manager Billy Beane is watching the bidding without getting personally involved from his position with the low-payroll A's. "That one's more just for my industry curiosity as much as anything," he said. "Like Arthur Miller being married briefly to Marilyn Monroe — that's who we are. We're the Arthur Miller in Lester's career." Max Scherzer and James Shields appeared content to wait for Lester to reach a deal first. And trade talks for top pitchers "Almost any move that's made has some kind of domino effect, some more pronounced than others," said Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers' new president of baseball operations. "But obviously when you're talking about the bigger guys coming off the board, there's a more pronounced trickle-down effect." Lester helped Boston go from worst to first and win the 2013 World Series, and then was part of a purge as the Red Sox again dropped to last in the AL East. "We're still optimistic that he'll be in a Red Sox uniform. There's a lot of history between the Red Sox and Jon," Boston manager John Farrell said. "We obviously have a strong desire to bring him back. And yet, hopefully, this is coming to a little bit of a head here." The perennially woeful Cubs got a player back at the less pricey level, agreeing to a $20 million, two-year contract with right-hander Jason Hammel — a pitcher Chicago traded to the A's last summer. That deal was confirmed by a person familiar with those talks, who also spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced. Arizona finalized its $68.5 million, six-year contract with Yasmany Tomas, a 24-year-old Cuban defector the Diamondbacks may move from the outfield to third base. "Initially, you've got to believe that that's a lot of money to be passing out on any player," new Diamondbacks general manager Dave Stewart said. "And in this day and time when a player has not played here, he's not proven yet here, that makes it even a little bit uncomfortably. But once you get the right information and you've checked the right sources, it makes it a lot easier to make the move." Cleveland obtained the 31-year-old Moss, who hit .234 with 25 homers and 81 RBIs in 2014. He batted .268 with 21 homers in the first half of the season to earn his first All-Star selection, but a nagging hip problem cut into his production over the final months.

On Oct. 21, Moss underwent an operation on his hip. Moss said Dr. Thomas Byrd was prepared to perform microfracture surgery, but all he needed was a labrum repair and cartilage cleanup. "It's a really difficult market to acquire offense, whether that's in free agency or the free-agent market, but we thought the deal for Brandon made sense because we felt we were getting one of the better power hitters in the game," Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said. As the meetings began, the doors to baseball's Hall of Fame remained shut to this year's Golden Era committee candidates. Nine players and one executive whose primary contributions were from 1947-72 all failed to receive the 75 percent of the vote needed for election. Dick Allen and Tony Oliva came closest, each receiving 11 of 16 votes, one shy of the 75 percent needed for election. Jim Kaat appeared on 10 ballots, Maury Wills nine and Minnie Minoso eight. Ken Boyer, Gil Hodges, Billy Pierce and Luis Tiant each received three or fewer votes, as did the late Cincinnati Reds general manager Bob Howsam. "The results today are a reminder that election to the Hall of Fame is incredibly difficult and the highest honor an individual can receive in baseball," Hall of Fame chairman Jane Forbes Clark said.

Red Sox fail to land Jon Lester so what's next? By Jen McCaffrey / MassLive.com http://www.masslive.com/redsox/index.ssf/2014/12/red_sox_fail_to_land_jon_leste.html SAN DIEGO – The Jon Lester saga is over and the Red Sox lost the bidding war. Lester reportedly agreed to a six-year, $155 million deal with the Chicago Cubs at about 10:30 p.m. PST on Tuesday. With one full day left in the Winter Meetings, the Red Sox have little time to lament the loss and have some significant work to do with the pool of top starting talent shrinking. Boston entered the week seeking two top of the rotation starters to supplement Clay Buchholz and Joe Kelly. Two days into the meetings they find themselves in the same position. General manager Ben Cherington, though, didn't let the ongoing Lester talks hold up other negotiations even if nothing has come to fruition yet. "We have talked to other free agents and we have made other offers. And we've talked to teams and made proposals to teams, too," he said earlier on Tuesday. But now that Lester is officially off the table, the Red Sox need to crack down.

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Among the names floated in connection with the Red Sox is former Boston starter Justin Masterson. The Boston Globe reported on Tuesday that the Red Sox had offered Masterson a one-year deal. Cherington later confirmed they had made contact with Masterson. The Red Sox have shied away from offering long-term contracts to pitchers in their 30s, but were willing to make an exception for Lester. Now the opposite strategy might be the direction in which the team is headed. In an attempt to cast as wide a net as possible for potential starting options, Cherington discussed the benefit of trading for a pitcher in the final year of his contract like San Diego's Ian Kennedy or Washington's Jordan Zimmerman. "There are a lot of guys in that category," Cherington said. "I don't think negotiating with one is a prerequisite to a deal. I think you have to evaluate each situation. "I think there's actually some value in a guy who's not signed long-term if they fit into the rotation because it allows you the chance to get to know them and see if it could be a fit," Cherington explained. "There are other guys who we've talked about in trades that would be under more control so we're sort of looking at all those categories." The Red Sox also have a hefty pool of young starting pitching talent in the system and signing a veteran starter to bridge the gap before a Henry Owens could be part of the strategy. From Cole Hamels to Wade Miley, free agents to trades, the Red Sox appear to have inquired about any and every starter that could be available with the hope that something will stick. "I think it's probably safe to say that at some point between the end of October and now, we've talked to, any starter that can conceivably be traded, we have talked to that team about," Cherington said. "Not all this week, but yeah, we've talked to just about anybody that has been or would conceivably be traded. We've talked to that team."

December 10, 2014 • sports.yahoo.com/mlb/morenews http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/morenews December 10, 2014

Cubs have fifth highest odds to win World Series after signing Lester 11:55 am EST (Comcast SportsNet Chicago)

Holy moly! Jon Lester is getting a $30 million signing bonus from the Cubs 11:36 am EST (NBC Sports)

Cubs get Lester in another Chicago diamond gain 11:26 am EST (Reuters)

Lester to Sox fans: I understand the disappointment 11:21 am EST (Comcast SportsNet New England)

Sergio Romo is talking to the Giants and the Tigers 11:15 am EST (NBC Sports)

Magic Johnson hates, loves, respects Bumgarner 11:09 am EST (Comcast SportsNet Bay Area)

MLB Winter Meetings Things to Know 10:50 am EST (The Associated Press)

Diamondbacks are “listening to offers” for Wade Miley 10:45 am EST (NBC Sports)

Red Sox, Dodgers become focus in potential Hamels trade 10:28 am EST (Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia)

Report: Major League Baseball Revenues to top $9 billion this year 10:05 am EST (NBC Sports)

Angst in Boston over no Lester for Red Sox 9:51 am EST (Comcast SportsNet Mid Atlantic)

Jon Lester to Cubs; now what for Cole Hamels? 9:51 am EST (Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia)

UPDATE: the Astros sign Pat Neshek to a two-year, $12.5 million deal 9:50 am EST (NBC Sports)

Cubs manager Maddon says Lester told him he hunts 9:40 am EST (The Associated Press)

Astros sign Luke Gregerson for $18.5 million 9:34 am EST (NBC Sports)

Mariners interested in White Sox outfielder Dayan Viciedo 9:17 am EST (NBC Sports)

Twins willing to lose draft pick to sign Ervin Santana 8:45 am EST (NBC Sports)

What the Jon Lester signing means for him, the Cubs and the Red Sox 8:29 am EST (NBC Sports)

CSN Chicago: Epstein, Cubs get their man 6:08 am EST (Comcast SportsNet New England)

Red Sox' lowball offer last spring led to Lester's depature 5:48 am EST (Comcast SportsNet New England)

Cubs sign Jon Lester to six-year, $155 million megadeal 3:26 am EST (Comcast SportsNet Chicago)

Nats think Harper is ready to shoulder more load 3:24 am EST (Comcast SportsNet Mid Atlantic)

Winter Meetings: Day Two 2:55 am EST (Rotoworld)

Lester, Cubs agree to $155M, 6-year contract 2:47 am EST (The Associated Press)

North Side, South Side, Chicago spending big 2:41 am EST (The Associated Press)

Montero traded from Diamondbacks to Cubs 2:41 am EST (The Associated Press)

Red Sox looking elsewhere before Lester chose Cubs 2:26 am EST (The Associated Press)

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Report: Lester agrees to six-year deal with Cubs 2:22 am EST (Comcast SportsNet Bay Area)

SportsNet Central: Samardzija excitement continues 1:56 am EST (Comcast SportsNet Chicago)

Jon Lester goes to Cubs for $155 million over six years 1:34 am EST (NBC Sports)

Lester agrees to 6-year, $155M deal with Cubs 1:31 am EST (Comcast SportsNet New England)

Ventura likes potential makeup of back end of Sox bullpen 1:26 am EST (Comcast SportsNet Chicago)

Long story short, Semien has a fan in Beane 12:52 am EST (Comcast SportsNet Bay Area)

The Rays are getting calls about Wil Myers 12:46 am EST (NBC Sports)

White Sox avoided giving up top prosepcts in Samardzija deal 12:41 am EST (Comcast SportsNet Chicago)

December 9, 2014

The Astros have talked to Sergio Romo and Luke Gregerson 11:40 pm EST (NBC Sports)

In wild offseason, Christmas has come early for White Sox 11:34 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Chicago)

Williams on Zim, Espinosa, Storen and more 11:14 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Mid Atlantic)

Cubs still hoping to win Jon Lester sweepstakes 11:13 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Chicago)

Padres could deal Jesse Hahn for offense 11:13 pm EST (NBC Sports)

A's trade pitcher Jeff Samardzija to White Sox 11:12 pm EST (The Associated Press)

Evans on Lester: 'Tough not to be able to bring him here' 10:49 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Bay Area)

Quote of the Day: Giants assistant GM Bobby Evans on being a runner-up 10:48 pm EST (NBC Sports)

Max Scherzer is looking for a contract worth more than $200 million 10:26 pm EST (NBC Sports)

Red Sox still need to find a backup catcher 10:22 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet New England)

Red Sox' pitching pursuit takes on greater urgency 10:15 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet New England)

Amaro says Phillies starting to get nibbles on players 10:12 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia)

The Mets and Rangers are talking about a Dillon Gee trade 10:09 pm EST (NBC Sports)

Giants out of the running for Jon Lester 10:01 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet New England)

Rangers talking with the Rockies about Wilin Rosario 9:57 pm EST (NBC Sports)

2015 Category Sleepers: ERA 9:42 pm EST (Rotoworld)

Showalter knows he'll have to move on without Markakis 9:40 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Mid Atlantic)

Giants, Dodgers out of the running for Jon Lester; it’s down to the Red Sox or Cubs 9:32 pm EST (NBC Sports)

Rizzo, Williams hope Zimmermann signs long-term 9:31 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Mid Atlantic)

Merloni: Which Red Sox players are untouchable? 9:27 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet New England)

Giants eliminated from Lester sweepstakes 9:21 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Bay Area)

Angels have interest in Rockies infielder Josh Rutledge 9:16 pm EST (NBC Sports)

Reports: David Ross generating interest 9:08 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet New England)

Phillies possibilities: New spot for Asche; Howard platoon 9:03 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia)

Torre to look at how replay challenges are made 9:03 pm EST (The Associated Press)

The Giants have talked to the Braves about a trade for Justin Upton and Chris Johnson 8:53 pm EST (NBC Sports)

White Sox targeted Samardzija, hope to keep him beyond '15 8:51 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Chicago)

Sandberg: Phillies need to be 'wowed' to deal Hamels 8:47 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia)

AP source: Callaspo, Braves agree to 1-year deal 8:43 pm EST (The Associated Press)

AP source: Liriano, Pirates reach $39M 3-year deal 8:28 pm EST (The Associated Press)

UPDATE: Reds drawing “heavy interest” in Aroldis Chapman and Johnny Cueto 8:26 pm EST (NBC Sports)

Scouts disagree with A's assessment of prospects acquired 8:23 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Bay Area)

David Ross is a pretty popular guy right now 8:19 pm EST (NBC Sports)

Report: Giants setting up Plan B with Braves if Lester signs elsewhere 8:18 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Bay Area)

Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski shoots down report about Max Scherzer 7:49 pm EST (NBC Sports)

Report: Callaspo gets one-year deal with Braves 7:48 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Bay Area)

Yankees preferred draft pick over closer Robertson 7:46 pm EST (The Associated Press)

Marlon Byrd fits Orioles, but Phillies shouldn't give him away 7:45 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia)

Sandberg: Phillies have to be 'wowed' to trade Hamels 7:38 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet New England)

Royals make Infante available, adding a 2B option for Nats 7:38 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Mid Atlantic)

Report: Lester 'nearing finish line,' could decide tonight 7:25 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet New England)

Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg says they’d have to be “wowed” to trade Cole Hamels 7:25 pm EST (NBC Sports)

Could Orioles put together a Byrd trade with Phillies? 7:21 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Mid Atlantic)

White Sox like former top prospect Michael Ynoa's trajectory 7:16 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Chicago)

Major League Baseball roundup 7:15 pm EST (Reuters)

December 10, 2014 • MLB.com http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions

Last updated: Wed, December 10, 2014, 03:34 EST

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Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Team Player Transaction

Los Angeles Angels

Drew Butera

Traded From from Dodgers, Los Angeles (for future considerations)

Oakland Athletics

Jorge De Leon Designated for Assignment

Monday, December 8, 2014

Team Player Transaction

Arizona Diamondbacks

Zeke Spruill Designated for Assignment

Baltimore Orioles

Patrick McCoy Outrighted to Minors

Baltimore Orioles

Steve Lombardozzi

Outrighted to Minors

Boston Red Sox Jemile Weeks Outrighted to Minors

Chicago White Sox

Rob Brantly

Acquired Off Waivers From from Marlins, Miami

Cleveland Indians

Bryan Price Designated for Assignment

Cleveland Indians

Brandon Moss

Traded From from Athletics, Oakland (for 2B Joey Wendle)

Los Angeles Angels

Marc Krauss

Acquired Off Waivers From from Astros, Houston

Miami Marlins

Jhonatan Solano

Signed to a Minor League Contract

Pittsburgh Pirates

Josh Lindblom

Acquired Off Waivers From from Athletics, Oakland

Texas Rangers Scott Barnes

Acquired Off Waivers From from Orioles, Baltimore

Toronto Blue Jays

Chris Colabello

Acquired Off Waivers From from Twins, Minnesota

Washington Nationals

Brandon Laird

Signed to Play in Japan, (Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters)

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Team Player Transaction

Oakland Athletics

Philip Humber

Signed to Play in Korea, (Kia Tigers)