Report: Blue Jays among teams interested in Montero

Miguel Montero's tenure on the north side of Chicago ended unceremoniously Wednesday, but there may be an opportunity for the veteran catcher north of the border.

According to a report from Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the Toronto Blue Jays are among the teams with interest in Montero, who was designated for assignment by the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday after calling out teammate Jake Arrieta the night prior for his inability to control the running game.

The Cubs now have 10 days to either trade or release Montero, who is owed roughly another $7 million this year.

Montero, a two-time All-Star who turns 34 next month, had been backing up Willson Contreras in Chicago, where he managed 0.3 WAR with an .812 OPS and four homers in 44 games this year. His struggles to throw out potential base-stealers came to the forefront Tuesday, when he allowed seven stolen bases in a 6-1 loss to the Washington Nationals and put the blame on Arrieta for being too slow to the plate.

''It really sucked because the stolen bases go to me, and when you really look at it, the pitcher doesn't give me any time,'' Montero said. ''So it's just like, 'Yeah, OK, Miggy can't throw nobody out,' but my pitcher doesn't hold anybody on."

The Blue Jays (36-40) could use a backup catcher, though, having watched incumbent Luke Maile put up -0.8 WAR in 30 games with the club. Though lauded for his game-calling and pitch-framing abilities, Maile has been a disaster at the plate in 2017, hitting just .122/.158/.200 in 95 appearances.