TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays acquired catcher Miguel Montero and cash considerations from the Chicago Cubs on Monday in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
Montero has a .286 average with four homers and eight RBIs in 44 games this season. He was designated for assignment last Wednesday after he blamed pitcher Jake Arrieta for allowing seven stolen bases in a 6-1 loss to the Washington Nationals the day before.
Chicago is paying Toronto US$6,446,710 in seven instalments through Oct. 6 as part of the trade, covering all but $515,039 of the $6,961,749 remaining of Montero's $14-million salary this year. He is eligible for free agency after the World Series.
The 33-year-old Venezuelan has played in 1,149 big-league games since making his debut with Arizona in 2006. Montero spent parts of nine seasons with the Diamondbacks and was in his third season with the Cubs.
Montero's time in Chicago will be remembered for a huge hit late in Game 7 of the World Series that helped end the Cubs' famous championship drought last fall. But tensions had been simmering since spring training over his role, and he had thrown out just one of 31 potential base stealers this season.
He joins a 37-44 Toronto team that entered Monday's game in New York on a four-game losing skid. The Blue Jays made it to the American League Championship Series the last two years but have spent most of this season in the East division basement.
The Blue Jays transferred outfielder Darrell Ceciliani to the 60-day disabled list to make room on the 40-man roster. Right-hander Mike Bolsinger was selected from triple-A Buffalo later in the day and right-hander Glenn Sparkman was designated for assignment.
Also Monday, Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna was named American League reliever of the month. He converted all eight save opportunities over 12 appearances in June.
Osuna allowed four hits, one earned run and a walk over 11 1/3 innings while striking out 19 batters.
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With files from The Associated Press.
The Canadian Press
