The Cubs got aggressive and took catcher David Ross away from the Padres.
Ross becomes apparently Jon Lester's new personal catcher.
With the trade for Miguel Montero, it seems Welington Castillo's time as a Cub is over.
And it really makes little sense.
Montero, 31, has had two bad seasons in a row.
2013: 11 HR 42 RBI .230 BA 0.5 WAR
2014: 13 HR 72 RBI .243 BA 0.7 WAR
Ross, 37, is a nominal performer.
2013: 4 HR 10 RBI .216 BA 0.8 WAR
2014: 7 HR 15 RBI .184 BA Negative 0.3 WAR
Castillo, 27, has been a better performer when healthy.
2013: 8 HR 32 RBI .234 BA 4.5 WAR
2014: 13 HR 46 RBI .237 BA 1.8 WAR.
The Cubs are replacing Castillo with Montero and Ross, but losing 1.5 WAR value in return.
I don't see the motivation to replace Castillo since there are other glaring holes in the line up card. If moving Castillo is going to set a fire under the young players to perform or else, then that just adds more pressure on them. If they think they can get something BIG in return for a proven starting catcher in Castillo, I don't think that will be the case since Toronto still has a better catcher, Dioner Navarro, ready for the trade market.
It makes little sense to trade away pieces just so you have a roster filled "with your guys"when the new guys don't project to be any better than the old guys.
