Written by Joe Lucia at Bloguin
The Milwaukee Brewers don’t need to trade Jonathan Lucroy. He won’t turn 30 until June, and if the Brewers exercise their club option on him for 2017, he’ll be owed just $9.5 million total over the next two seasons. Yes, Lucroy had a down year in 2015 after three fantastic years from 2012-2014, but even in only 103 games, his .313 wOBA ranked 11th among all 28 catchers with at least 300 plate appearances and his 93 wRC+ ranked 12th. Combine that offensive prowess with his defensive pluses, and he’s unquestionably one of the better catchers in baseball…even in a down year.
But while the Brewers don’t *need* to trade Lucroy, this winter could be the ideal time if they want to pull the trigger on dealing him. While Lucroy’s offensive numbers were still respectable in 2015 as he dealt with injuries, they were down from the last three years (though they did markedly pick up in the second half, when Lucroy hit .289/.347/.461 with 12 doubles and five homers over 180 plate appearances, compared to a .241/.307/.325 line with eight doubles and two homers in 191 first half plate appearances).
Looking past his performance in 2015, the main reason that trading Lucroy could be a boon for the Brewers this winter is the rest of the catching market. The two “safest” veteran free agents have already signed – AJ Pierzynski going back to the Braves, and Chris Iannetta joining his former Angels GM Jerry Dipoto with the Mariners. Hell, even the biggest wild card on the market, Matt Wieters, isn’t available after accepting Baltimore’s qualifying offer this offseason. Who’s left?
To continue reading this article, click here
