As I mentioned this morning – despite that “not close” stuff – it looks like the Chicago Cubs and Diamondbacks may be able to finalize their trade for catcher Miguel Montero at some point today.
Indeed, Bob Nightengale reports that the Cubs are on the “verge” (that means close!) of acquiring Montero for prospects, and a deal is expected by the end of the day.
I’ll hold any celebration for an official announcement (or at least a serious solid “it’s done” reports), and a reveal of the prospects involved. I discussed the probabilities last night in the series of Montero updates, and I tentatively expect that it’ll be a couple low-level pitching prospects – good ones, but not ones you’ll lose your mind about. The Cubs, in turn, will take on most, if not all, of Montero’s remaining three years and $40 million.
I have grown increasingly fond of the idea of a Montero/Welington Castillo platoon (not a strict one, but maybe a 3:2 in favor of Montero) for 2015, so I hope this gets done.
UPDATE: Jerry Crasnick – who overnight reported that the deal wasn’t close to fruition – now reports that the deal is close to fruition. Interestingly, though, Crasnick says that the lull last night was met by the Cubs “ratcheting up their offer.” At last check, the expectation was that the Cubs would part with a couple A-ball pitchers. I’d still expect that to be the case, though I suppose it’s possible that the organizations had narrowed their talks down to a handful of players that all fit that category, with the Cubs cautiously guarding a name or two, and trying to get the D-Backs to accept another one or two … and then there was a meeting of the minds today. In other words, the deal was pretty darn close as of last night, and it is getting finalized today. Hopefully it didn’t require a significant ratcheting up.
UPDATE 2 (2:42pm CT): Bruce Levine says this baby is a done deal, and we’re just waiting on the details.
UPDATE 3 (2:49pm CT): Jon Morosi also says the deal is now agreed upon. Just waiting on the return.
UPDATE 4 (2:51pm CT): Nick Piecoro reports that one of the players going to Arizona will be pitching prospect Jefferson Mejia. He’s a good one, but new to the system, and hasn’t pitched out of rookie ball yet. I mentioned him yesterday as a possibility.