So What Do the Cubs Have in Mike Montgomery?

In a deal that’s been rumored for months, the Cubs sent a stocky, lefty-hitting galoot with great makeup and clubhouse presence but without a solid position to an AL team in exchange for a power lefty relief pitcher. Though it didn’t have the sex appeal of Kyle Schwarber-for-Andrew Miller, the trade of Dan Vogelbach (and Paul Blackburn) to the Mariners for Mike Montgomery (and Jordan Pries) allowed the Cubs to address a big need without spending big to do it.

It feels like we’ve been talking about Vogelbach’s imminent departure for the last three years or so, a function of his lack of versatility in the field and the presence of a decent first baseman blocking his way in Chicago. Despite…