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Cubs aquire left-handed reliever Montgomery from Mariners

The Chicago Cubs made attempt No. 1 at shoring up their bullpen Wednesday, acquiring left-hander Mike Montgomery and a prospect from the Seattle Mariners.

To get Montgomery, the Cubs traded minor-league hitting prospect Dan Vogelbach and minor-league pitcher Paul Blackburn. The Cubs also received pitching prospect Jordan Pries, a right-hander.

The 27-year-old Montgomery is 3-4 with a 2.34 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP this season in 32 games, all but two in relief. Last year, in his first season in the big leagues, he was 4-6 with a 4.60 ERA in 16 games, all starts.

Cubs president Theo Epstein said the Cubs plan to use Montgomery out of their bullpen.

"Obviously, we've been looking hard to improve the pen if we could, especially looking for a left-handed pitcher," Epstein said. "Montgomery is somebody who has really good stuff who has been performing well this year that we think has been coming into his own a little bit. We're really pleased to get him in what we think is a fair deal.

"He's someone who has a chance to help us this year and long into the future. We paid a price to do that. We traded a couple of really good prospects for him. I think it's a fair deal for Seattle and for us, as well."

Montgomery is not arbitration-eligible until 2019, making the deal that more attractive for the Cubs, who currently have Travis Wood and Clayton Richard in their bullpen from the left side.

The Cubs have been linked in talks with the New York Yankees about lefties Andrew Miller or Aroldis Chapman, but they Yankees might not be inclined to move either, and if they were, the price no doubt would be high.

"Sometimes with these bullpen pieces, it's important to get them when they're on the way there, when they haven't fully arrived yet," Epstein said. "I'm not saying (Montgomery) is Andrew Miller. Very few are. We traded for Andrew Miller in Boston when I was there, November 2010, hoping he could put it together in the pen someday, and he did. That's how a lot of guys get there."

Vogelbach, 23, is a stocky power hitter along the lines of Kyle Schwarber. The Cubs took him in the second round of the 2011 draft. At Class AAA Iowa this year, he had a line of .318/.425/.548 with 16 homers and 64 RBI. He is a first baseman who may be best suited to being a DH in the American League.

The Mariners come to Wrigley Field to play the Cubs July 29-31.

"He's done a great job," Epstein said. "Sad to see Dan go. He was a great guy to be around, but also happy for him to get an opportunity. Going to an American League club is going to be a chance to get at-bats at the big-league level, I'm sure, pretty soon. He's going to be around a long time because he can hit and has great energy."

Blackburn, 22, was the 56th overall pick in the 2012 draft. At Class AA Tennessee this year, he was 6-4 with a 3.17 ERA.

Pries, 26, was 7-3 with a 4.93 ERA between Class AA Jackson and Class AAA Tacoma.

Defense, defense:

Jason Heyward started in center field for the Cubs in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Mets and moved to right later. While in center, he threw out James Loney out at the plate in the fourth inning with a long throw. Heyward is batting only .234, but manager Joe Maddon sees high value in his defense.

"There's a comfort about him playing," Maddon said. "His numbers are going to come back up to where they normally are by the end of the season. But his defense and just as teammate, he's one of the best I've every been around."

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