Texas Rangers: Potential Jonathan Lucroy trade destinations
At last year’s trade deadline, the Texas Rangers acquired catcher Jonathan Lucroy in a blockbuster trade with the Milwaukee Brewers. One year later, it looks like Lucroy might be back on the block ready to suit up for a new team. Where could he go?
With the Rangers underperforming this year and way behind the first place Houston Astros, it might be time for a huge sell-off. This includes everyone on an expiring contract.
Lucroy, in the last year of his deal, remains a desirable piece any team in need of a catcher should pursue. Since this is a very specific position, not everyone would have room on their roster. This limits his options greatly, but not entirely.
When discussing the possibility of another trade involving Lucroy it’s worth noting two important things: how he’s doing now and what it cost the Rangers last year.
This season has not gone well for Lucroy. He could certainly pick things up as the heat arrives in Texas, but there’s no guarantee of this. Through 205 plate appearances, the 31-year-old backstop is slashing .269/.307/.389 with four home runs. His 82 OPS+ tells an even worse story as it shows how far below the average hitter Lucroy is this year.
As for the second point, the Rangers gave up top prospects Luis Ortiz and Lewis Brinson for Lucroy and reliever Jeremy Jeffress. They later added Ryan Cordell to complete the trade.
This is definitely a high price to pay for Lucroy and Jeffress, yet not unreasonable. The Rangers managed to get an affordable and talented catcher along with a reliever having a very good season. Even though the trade hasn’t yielded phenomenal results, one cannot argue this was robbery.
Now with only a few months left on his contract, Lucroy is even more affordable. He’s making only a little over $5 million this season which means anyone in need of a catcher qualifies. Who are they and what might they pay to get him?
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks find themselves in unfamiliar territory: Competing. They have kept pace with the Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Dodgers all year long. Great pitching performances from Zack Greinke and Robbie Ray have solidified the rotation. Meanwhile, the offense led by Paul Goldschmidt has continued to produce regularly.
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One position the Diamondbacks lack at is catcher. Chris Iannetta and Jeff Mathis have shared these duties, but each has struggled offensively. Lucroy would certainly give them a boost and possibly even help out a sometimes inconsistent pitching staff.
The Diamondbacks’ trade deadline needs are not many. Other than a few small fixes and possibly upgrading at closer with a replacement for Fernando Rodney, they pretty much are what they are. The team roster is a relatively affordable one with many of its players on cheap contracts.
In an effort to make up for the poor 2016 campaign, it’s important the Diamondbacks do whatever they can to not waste this effort. A trade for Lucroy would help this as he has been one of the best overall catchers in baseball throughout his career.
The biggest deterrent in acquiring Lucroy might be the Diamondbacks’ lack of a phenomenal farm system. Arizona also has several players with MLB experience the Rangers could possibly choose instead of someone in the minor leagues. This would become a balancing act for the Diamondbacks as they will look to keep their positional depth.
Boston Red Sox
There was a time when the Boston Red Sox were loaded with options at catcher. The debate of whether to go with Blake Swihart or Christian Vazquez was constantly discussed. Then, Sandy Leon broke out last year and became a long-term consideration.
A year later, Swihart is in the minor leagues trying to learn a new position. At the MLB level, Leon looks like a one-hit wonder. While Vazquez has hit for average this season, he is almost completely absent of power just like the rest of the Red Sox.
Catcher might not be the most important position of need for Boston this year, but it’s certainly one they could improve upon. Is Lucroy the answer?
The great advantage Boston has over most teams is their deep farm system. Somehow, even with a competitive MLB team and lower picks, they have drafted well and made many great international signings. This should allow them to pick up whomever they want at this year’s trade deadline, including Lucroy.
A potential trade between the Rangers and Red Sox could help out both teams. The Rangers farm system is quite barren and the Red Sox need a boost. If they fail to nab a third baseman at the trade deadline, it might be worth going after Lucroy instead.
Cleveland Indians
Last year, Lucroy nearly became a member of the Cleveland Indians. He voided the trade and was left with some egg on his face when the Indians went to the World Series, taking the eventual champs to seven games. Could he get a second chance to accept the trade?
Lucroy’s reasoning for passing on the deal was because the Indians could not guarantee him the opportunity to catch in 2017. Starting catcher Yan Gomes is locked into a contract, but not hitting well again this year. The Indians would be foolish to not go after Lucroy again. Likewise, Lucroy would make a mistake not joining the Indians for an opportunity to see the postseason.
The downside to Lucroy replacing Gomes is that the Indians rely heavily on their pitching staff. Gomes has worked with many of them for years and developed a relationship. Lucroy would come in and have a brand new pitching staff to work with. He managed to do this last year with the Rangers, so this is not a strong excuse.
The Indians need to make some moves this year to return to the World Series. Revisiting the seemingly perfect match they had with Lucroy is one way to increase those odds. If they don’t, it’s always possible the Minnesota Twins swoop in and upgrade over Jason Castro.