SAN DIEGO - All-Star catcher Miguel Montero was traded from Arizona to the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday in a deal that relieves the Diamondbacks of having to pay $40 million over the next three years.Arizona receives minor league right-handers Jeferson Mejia and Zack Godley in the swap.The 31-year-old Montero, an All-Star in 2011 and 14, hit .282 this year with 18 homers and 86 RBIs. He is owed $12 million next season and $14 million in each of the final two years of a $60 million, five-year contract.Montero tweeted soon after the trade: Excited for the next chapter in my career with a team with so much history and a bright future. See you soon Windy City!And later in the day, the Cubs gave him an ace to catch when they agreed to a $155 million, six-year contract with Jon Lester.Mejia, 20, was 2-4 with a 2.48 ERA in two starts and 10 relief appearances this year for rookie level Mesa. The 24-year-old Godley was 4-3 with a 3.09 ERA and 15 saves in 40 games for Kane County and Daytona, both Class A teams.We had an opportunity to get two good arms, Diamondbacks general manager Dave Stewart said. Mejia is a power arm, a 6-7 kid, has 94-97 (mph). Godley is a kid thats 92-96. . .. We needed to get starting pitching back into our system. Did we give up a pretty good value? Yes, we did. But we do think that we got good value back.Stewart said that while the Diamondbacks save money, he doesnt think its wise to spend it on free agent pitching right now. He said he thinks next years market will be better.To move Miggy was a difficult decision, Stewart said. It was not one that we took lightly, but you only have so many pieces, so many moves, that you can do to get to where you want to.The lefty-swinging Montero could share time with Welington Castro, who batted .237 with a career-high 13 homers this season but hit only .216 against right-handed pitchers.It really gives us a solid presence in the catching position, new Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. Its a tremendous new addition — a first step building into this winter. ... Really excited about. Oakland Athletics Store . I kept my eyes focused up on the camera during each approach. I just tried to stay focused on my form, as I didnt know what the ball reaction was. I was quite emotional at the end. I did not actually see any of the shots in the game until I got home and watched the video. Oakland Athletics Shirts . The lightning strike was in the parking lot of Crew Stadium on Saturday night, but its not known if the off-duty lieutenant was struck directly, Columbus Fire Department Battalion Chief Tracy Smith said. The firefighter, identified as Lt. https://www.cheapathleticsonline.com/ . And theyre pointing to the NHLs biggest market: Toronto. With Gretzky paid out for what is believed to be $7 to 8 million, Gretzky may be eager to get back into the NHL and TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reports that the Maple Leafs are very much interested in The Great Ones services. Chris Bassitt Athletics Jersey . Cabrera is hitting .218 with three homers and 16 RBI in 80 games this season. The Padres recalled second baseman Brooks Conrad from Triple-A El Paso to replace Cabrera on the roster. Stitched Athletics Jerseys . His brother — Red Lake chiropractor Richard Radford — is en route to Sochi to cheer on his younger brother. "Ive been getting texts from Eric and he just says the atmosphere is amazing, its special,” he said.MINNEAPOLIS -- After three consecutive years of 90-plus losses, Minnesota Twins general manager Terry Ryan is hoping a rare in-season, free-agent signing will keep his team in contention the rest of the summer. Minnesota signed first baseman/designated hitter Kendrys Morales to a one-year, prorated, $12 million contract on Sunday. The Cuban-born slugger, who hit .277 with 23 homers and 80 RBIs in 156 games with the Seattle Mariners last season, has been in Miami working out while waiting to sign. "Why not the Twins?" Ryan asked during a press conference announcing the signing. "I read there were probably a handful of clubs that were chasing Kendrys. We were ahead of many of those clubs in the standings." The Twins have lost 291 games the last three seasons, but are 29-31 this year, five games back in the AL Central and 2 1/2 back in the wild card standings. Morales, who turns 31 on June 20, had been unsigned because teams were hesitant to surrender a compensatory first-round pick to sign him. Since the Twins signed him after the MLB draft, they do not have to give up a coveted pick. The prorated portion of Morales contract will total slightly more than $7.4 million. "It just made sense," said Ryan, who is back in the GM chair after stepping away during spring training to battle skin cancer. For Morales, the deal gives him an opportunity to provide some power to an inconsistent Twins offence in desperate need of a full-time designated hitter. "It wasnt easy for a baseball player to watch baseball games when he knows he can pllay," Morales said through an interpreter.dddddddddddd "But you have to be mentally tough and be prepared so when this opportunity does come around, youre ready to do what you gotta do." In 620 career games, Morales has 102 home runs and 345 RBIs. He also missed 1 1/2 years after breaking his leg celebrating a game-ending home run on May 29, 2010, when he was with the Los Angeles Angels. Since Morales is out of options and not injured, the Twins cant send him to the minors to shake off the rust from missing the seasons first 60 games. Hell work out with the team and take the field when hes ready. "Its a day to day thing, Ill be working out and talking to (manager Ron Gardenhire) and the coaching staff," Morales said. "When Im ready, Ill be in there. We just want to do it the right way." Morales greeted his new teammates in the clubhouse before Sundays game against the Houston Astros and spent some time with Tony Oliva, Minnesotas most famous Cuban-born player. Since the Twins arent known for making splashy moves, especially during the season, players viewed the signing as a signal from management that theyre serious about contending. "Its a good signing. A lot of us are real excited right now," Joe Mauer said. "It tells you how close this division is and us adding is definitely a great thing." To make room on the 25-man roster, Minnesota released Jason Kubel, who appeared in 798 games over parts of eight seasons with the Twins. He was hitting .224 this year, but just .158 since April. ' ' '