Cubs trade Miguel Montero to Blue Jays

The Blue Jays have acquired catcher Miguel Montero and cash considerations from the Cubs for a player to be named later, according to a club announcement.

Montero, 33, was designated for assignment by the Cubs last week after making critical comments about teammate Jake Arrieta in the clubhouse after a game against the Nationals. Montero told reporters that Arrieta’s slow delivery to the plate was to blame for the Nats’ seven stolen bases on the night, leading to Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein and manager Joe Maddon deciding to part ways with him the next day.

Despite Montero’s defensive struggles, he’s seen a bit of a resurgence at the plate with a .286/.366/.439 line and four homers in 44 games for the Cubs. He will provide an immediate upgrade at backup catcher over Luke Maile for Toronto, serving as a veteran presence behind Russell Martin for the rest of the year.

Montero is earning $14 million this season, so the Cubs will pick up the majority of the $7 million or so remaining on the deal. If they had outright released him, they would’ve had to pick up all of it.

Montero is a veteran of 12 major-league seasons with the Diamondbacks (2006-14) and Cubs (2015-17), owning a career .260/.342/.416 line and two All-Star appearances along the way.