Report: Cubs catcher's brother shot and killed

Blanco spent the last four seasons as a backup catcher for the Cubs and is playing winter ball in a Venezuelan league.

The online baseball site reports Blanco was believed to have been negotiating with the kidnappers.

The body of 39-year-old Carlos Simon Blanco Sanchez was discovered Monday night in the state of Miranda, Venezuela. He was reportedly kidnapped Sunday night.

A newspaper in Venezuela says the kidnappers had demanded about $90,000 in ransom for his release.