Less than a week before the non-waiver trade deadline, and one of this year’s All-Stars continues to get a ton of play on the market.
Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy plays a position (catcher) of utmost importance. In a bit of rarity in today’s Major League Baseball, the veteran backstop also plays it incredibly well.
Lucroy, 30, entered Wednesday’s action hitting .301 with 13 homers, 50 RBI and a solid .362 on-base percentage. He’s also in the midst of putting up a positive defensive WAR for the seventh consecutive season.
Needless to say, there’s a ton of interest in his services.
One report on Wednesday has Lucroy linked to a Detroit Tigers squad that surprisingly finds itself in the midst of the American League Central race, just 5.5 games behind the pace-setting Cleveland Indians.
Sources: The #Tigers are one of the teams talking to the #Brewers about Jonathan Lucroy.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 27, 2016
Rosenthal didn’t expand on the interest Detroit is showing other than to indicate that the team is talking to Milwaukee. In a vacuum, this makes a ton of sense.
Detroit has received nothing of substance from its trio of backstops with the likes of James McCann, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Bobby Wilson combining to hit .198 with a sub .280 on-base percentage on the season.
The Cleveland Indians, who are currently without Yan Gomes, have also talked to Milwaukee about the veteran catcher. Interestingly, the Brewers might end up being in a position to force a bidding war between the two division rivals.
It’s also being reported that the New York Mets offered Travis d’Arnaud as part of a package for Lucroy.
In essence, this would enable the Brewers to acquire a younger catcher that still has four years of service time remaining before he hits free agency. As has been reported, Milwaukee would also want top prospects in return for its All-Star.
The #Mets reportedly offered d’Arnaud for Lucroy; perhaps #Tigers could start with McCann. #Brewers want high-end prospects as well.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 27, 2016
With the trade deadline quickly approaching, it seems reasonable to believe that Lucroy will be moved. Though, we simply don’t know where he will ultimately land.