Jonathan Lucroy has long been linked to trade rumors this offseason, but actual discussions for the Milwaukee Brewers All-Star catcher have furthered among interested suitors.
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Brewers' Asking Price 'Too High' for Lucroy
Monday, Jan. 18
The Texas Rangers, Washington Nationals and Oakland Athletics have all recently been involved in trade talks with the Brewers over Lucroy, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.
However, Rosenthal added that no deal has been struck because the Brewers’ asking price is reportedly "too high."
That could be in light of Lucroy's incredibly affordable contract, which has one year and $4.35 million left with a $5.25 million option for 2017, per Spotrac.
The veteran is coming off a production decline and an injury-ridden season, but despite one outlying year, he’s still an everyday backstop with a bat better than most at his position as a career .282 hitter.
Teams are well aware of his production and cost value but want to act quickly if they’re going to strike a deal, per Mike Axisa of CBS Sports:
Teams right now want to buy low on Lucroy and acquire him for two full seasons. If the Brewers wait until the deadline, they're only selling one and a half seasons of Lucroy. Teams won't be willing to pay as much. Those first few months of the season have real value. Waiting until next offseason means the price would be even lower.
The Brewers are in the midst of a massive rebuild that’s involved trades of key contributors such as Carlos Gomez, Mike Fiers, Francisco Rodriguez, Adam Lind, Gerardo Parra and Jonathan Broxton since last year’s non-waiver trade deadline.
After finishing 68-94, tied for fourth-worst in the majors a year after leading the National League Central for 152 days before a September meltdown, Milwaukee has conceded it needs to focus on long-term scope.
When Lucroy hits free agency, he’ll likely command at least twice what he’s making, and stockpiling young yet cheap talent and/or draft picks would be in the Brewers’ best interest.
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