Milwaukee’s Jonathan Lucroy will turn 32 abut a third of the way through the 2017 season; about the same time catchers typically start to show signs of decline from the wear-and-tear of the position. But 2017 is also going to be a contract year for Lucroy, and in the ultra-competitive National League Central, the Brewers needs all the offensive help they can get.
Lucroy’s solid but not spectacular statistics show he has some pop, and his stroke is well-suited for Miller Field. He’s a well-established Brewer and the locals tend to make guys feel like they’re welcome. This could be a win-win situation for the team and the player.
The drawback is if the Brewers can afford to do without Lucroy’s defense. Ryan Braun is the other reasonably obvious choice for a DH, but he seems to be aging gracefully in left field. Lucroy is usually the DH when the Brewers play in American League cities, so when the role goes into the NL it should be an easy transition him.
The adjustment the Brewers will need to make is finding an everyday catcher who can respectably hit. Martin Maldonado seems to be destined to bouncing around as a career backup, and his career numbers indicate that while he might have a bit more power, he can’t really be counted on to significantly outhit a pitching staff.
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