CHICAGO -- With an acknowledged lack of catching depth in the Chicago Cubs organization and a potential need for a backup on the major league team, the club traded for Kansas City Royals catcher George Kottaras on Tuesday for cash considerations.

Kottaras, 30, broke into the majors in 2008 with the Boston Red Sox while Cubs president Theo Epstein was the team's general manager. Kottaras also played for Milwaukee and Oakland before spending 2013 with the Royals.

Kottaras has a career batting average of .214 with 29 home runs to go along with an 18 percent caught stealing percentage.

Welington Castillo is the Cubs' starter behind the plate. Free agent Dioner Navarro was the backup last season, but after a career year he is expected to sign elsewhere.