Both Chicago Baseball Teams Busy at Winter Meetings as White Sox Land Jeff Samardzija and David Robertson While Cubs Trade for Miguel Montero

It seems like both the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox are sick of finishing at the bottom of the standings. Both teams made early splashes at Major League Baseball's annual Winter Meetings on Tuesday with Jeff Samardzija, David Robertson and Miguel Montero all found new homes in the Windy City.

The White Sox amped up their pitching staff, signing former New York Yankees closer David Robertson and trading for former Oakland A's starter Jeff Samardzija. The Cubs, a day removed from signing pitcher Jason Hammel, traded for former Arizona Diamondback Miguel Montero, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

The White Sox signed Robertson to a four-year, $46 million deal, according to ESPN. The righty Robertson had spent all of his seven years with the Yankees, where he took over as closer after the great Mariano Rivera retired. Robertson owns a career 2.81 ERA in 393.1 innings, and saved 39 games in 2014. He was expendable to the Yankees after the breakout season of Dellin Betances and the signing of lefty Andrew Miller, who New York gave $36 million last week.

Samardzjia comes over from Oakland just over four months after being traded from the Cubs at the Trade Deadline. The trade signifies a continuation of the firesale Oakland started a few weeks ago. The A's received prospects in return for Samardzjia, who is consider a top-tier starter despite a career record well below .500.

The White Sox finished 27th in team ERA in 2014.

In Montero, the Cubs landed one of the only veteran catchers available, and got him for quite a steal, given how much Russell Martin recently commanded on the open market.

An All-Star in 2014 and 2011, Montero has hit double-digit home runs in five of the past six seasons, all spent with Arizona. The Diamondbacks got pitchers Jeferson Mejia and Zack Godley in return. The Cubs haven't made the postseason since 2008 and haven't won the World Series since 1908, but they are seen as up-and-comers thanks to a team of highly touted prospects, and now, a veteran catcher.

Samardzija might be best known for playing tight end for Notre Dame in the mid-200s. Here's him catching a pass from Brady Quinn from those glory days.