Well this is a surprise, and a mildly unnerving one at that. The Cubs have traded for a catcher.

Maldonado was a guy the Cubs pursued in the offseason, but he preferred to sign with the Royals where he could get more regular starts. He’s an elite defender and receiver, and he would be a wonderful back-up catcher on a team like the Cubs.

… but with Willson Contreras and Victor Caratini in the fold, why would the Cubs be trading for Maldonado right now unless something is going on with Contreras’ foot that is a little more scary than what we’ve heard? Obviously I’m desperately hoping it’s not that, but stay tuned.

Updates coming.

UPDATE: It’s for Mike Montgomery:

Source: Royals getting Mike Montgomery back from Cubs for Maldonado. — Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 16, 2019

Montgomery is a tradable piece for a lot of reasons we’ve discussed – he’s better off starting with the Royals than working out of the Cubs’ bullpen – but for a rental back-up catcher? Were the Cubs … desperate? Or are they getting more? I’m terrified right now.