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Los Angeles Dodgers Trade Deadline Overview

By Nicholas Corbett

May 18, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts talks on the mound with left fielder Howie Kendrick (47) and third baseman Justin Turner (10) during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
May 18, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts talks on the mound with left fielder Howie Kendrick (47) and third baseman Justin Turner (10) during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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All-Star Caliber Catcher on the Wish List

Aug 25, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy (20) celebrates his two-run home run with second baseman Elian Herrera (3) in the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 25, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy (20) celebrates his two-run home run with second baseman Elian Herrera (3) in the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

While it is unjust to put the blame on any singular position in light of the Dodgers offensive shortcomings this season, Catcher is the one area that is in greatest need of an immediate upgrade.

The Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy, figures to be one of, if not the most sought after players throughout trade season. That distinction does not come without reason either. After experiencing an injury plagued 2015 season, Lucroy has returned to his perennial all-star ways. In 55 games this year with the Brewers, the soon to be 30 year old catcher is slashing an estimable .310/.368/.525.

With the incumbent platoon of catchers currently sporting an abysmal line of .191/.303/.316, it’s easy to see why the Dodgers would be salivating at potentially acquiring an established, highly productive signal caller such as Lucroy, and that’s before even taking into account his team friendly contract situation.

Lucroy will make $4,350,000 this year. An extremely reasonable price given his production, and even more startling upon the realization that seldom used backup AJ Ellis, is currently earning $4.5m in the last year of his deal with the team. Not only Ellis, but disappointing starter, Yasmani Grandal, is also in the last year of his contract, and given his struggles, is likely to be back with the team, creating a glaring need at catcher in the off-season, if left un-addressed before the conclusion of the 2016 campaign.

However, actually getting Lucroy, might be easier said than done. The Dodgers figure to be just one of a long list of potential suitors vying for the services of the Brewers catcher. It’s also worth noting that the Brewers aren’t really in a situation where they have  to trade him. Given that aforementioned friendly deal, and 2017 being a club option year that would pay him just north of $5m, it isn’t like he is burning a whole in their pockets, but it is those friendly numbers, that the Brewers surely acknowledge make him that much more valuable in the eyes of teams looking to contend. Which as a result, makes the haul he could potentially bring back all the more enticing.

If the Dodgers brass ends up determining the asking price for Lucroy is too high, they could and should still explore additional, less costly options. Inquiring about the availability of JT Realmuto could be a legitimate possibility depending on the trajectory that the Marlins season seems to be heading in the coming weeks. Though quite contrarian to most catchers, in the aspect that Realmuto doesn’t have much power, his ability to put the ball in play at the least would be an upgrade from the sub .200 batting averages currently on the roster. Another few names rumored to be available in the relatively scarce catching market are A’s backup Josh Phegley, and one of what feels like an abundance of  Red Sox catchers in Christian Vazquez. All of whom, if acquired would allow the Dodgers vaunted farm system to remain relatively intact.

Next: Power Struggle

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