Cubs acquire catcher Miguel Montero from the Diamondbacks

Dec. 10--SAN DIEGO -- The Chicago Cubs have acquired two-time National League All-Star catcher Miguel Montero from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The left-handed hitting Montero was acquired for minor league pitchers Jeferson Mejia and Zack Godley, a source confirmed Tuesday. The deal is expected to be announced once Montero, 31, passes a physical examination.

After the deal was announced, Montero tweeted: "I want to say thank you to the Diamondbacks for 14 years in the organization. I made a lot of great friends and I'm going to miss them all. Excited for the next chapter in my career with a team with so much history and a bright future. See you soon Windy City!"

Montero, who will earn $40 million over the next three seasons, gives the Cubs a seasoned catcher with a solid knack for framing pitches and working with younger players.

"It really gives us a solid presence in the catching position," manager Joe Maddon said. "This is a guy who has caught a lot of games. We're a little concerned about that. We want to try to be able to dole out the work as we move forward with Wel (Castillo). But for right now, it's a tremendous new addition. It's a great first step building into this winter, so we're really excited."

Montero is a lifetime .264 hitter who slumped to .243 with 13 home runs and 72 RBIs in 2014.

The addition of Montero affects Welington Castillo, who batted .237 with a .296 on-base percentage in 2014. President Theo Epstein said Castillo will face left-handed starters. Epstein said several teams inquired about Castillo once they acquired Montero but there are no plans to trade Castillo.

While waiting for a decision on free agent left-hander Jon Lester, the Cubs have strengthened their rosters with the additions of pitcher Jason Hammel and Montero.

Mejia, 20, is a 6-foot-7 right-hander who posted a 2-4 record and 2.48 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 40 innings for the Cubs' rookie Arizona League team in 2014. He signed for an $850,000 bonus out of the Dominican Republic in 2013.

Godley, 24, a 10th round pick in the 2013 draft out of the University of Tennessee, was 4-3 with a 3.09 ERA with 77 strikeouts in 55 1/3 innings in 40 appearances at Class-A Kane County and Daytona.