Chicago Cubs: Trading Mike Montgomery was inevitable

For more reasons than one, trading pitcher Mike Montgomery was a move that the Chicago Cubs needed to make, for the benefit of both sides.

Mike Montgomery will forever live in Chicago Cubs lore. There is no questioning that. What also cannot be questioned is that it has been time for the two sides to go their separate ways. That happened on Monday when the Cubs announced that they traded Montgomery to the Kansas City Royals for catcher Martín Maldonado.

Unforeseen factor

In fairness to Montgomery, the trade isn’t just about him. Cubs catcher Willson Contreras, who missed Sunday’s game with a foot injury, was in line to start on Tuesday. Following the Cubs’ 6-3 loss on Monday, though, the Cubs…