Lucroy vetoes trade to Indians

[Bmurph]

Chris Cotillo of SB Nation reports that the Rangers are targeting Jeremy Jeffress in addition to Jonathan Lucroy in any potential deal with the Brewers.

The negotiations are ongoing and constantly changing, but it looks as though the Rangers could look to upgrade their catcher position and bullpen in one fell swoop. Jeffress has recorded 25 saves in 26 chances on teh season, registering a 2.11 ERA in the process.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

So I was watching Quick Pitch this morning and saw that during a pinch hit for the Brewers by Lucroy, Brewers fans gave him not one, but two standing ovations. I got a pretty big laugh out of that.

Lucroy, in a cash grab attempt, overplayed his hand and in the process fucked the Brewers out what will likely be the best offer they'll receive for Lucroy. He also made the Brewers front office look inept because they were unaware of his intentions.

Yet here are Brewers fans, mindlessly applauding the guy as if he did it out of loyalty to the Brewers, or because he wants to remain in Milwaukee.

Funny as hell.

Sort of reminded me of when Brewers fans would defend that shit-sack, Ryan Braun, after he'd tested positive for PEDs, got off on a technicality, besmirched the piss-collector by suggesting that he was personally after Braun (even implying that the guy was anti-Semitic), only to piss hot again shortly after.

Seems like Brewers fans just clap for stuff because it's fun to clap for stuff.

 

[RP-29]

So I was watching Quick Pitch this morning and saw that during a pinch hit for the Brewers by Lucroy, Brewers fans gave him not one, but two standing ovations. I got a pretty big laugh out of that.

Lucroy, in a cash grab attempt, overplayed his hand and in the process fucked the Brewers out what will likely be the best offer they'll receive for Lucroy. He also made the Brewers front office look inept because they were unaware of his intentions.

Yet here are Brewers fans, mindlessly applauding the guy as if he did it out of loyalty to the Brewers, or because he wants to remain in Milwaukee.

Funny as hell.

Sort of reminded me of when Brewers fans would defend that shit-sack, Ryan Braun, after he'd tested positive for PEDs, got off on a technicality, besmirched the piss-collector by suggesting that he was personally after Braun (even implying that the guy was anti-Semitic), only to piss hot again shortly after.

Seems like Brewers fans just clap for stuff because it's fun to clap for stuff.

Brewers fans love Lucroy. It was a show of love and appreciation.

You seem to be suggesting that the Brewers have to trade Lucroy. They don't. Lucroy's value is very high, so the Brewers are entertaining offers for him. Everyone on the Brewers' side of the fence would be perfectly happy keeping him if the right offer isn't presented.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

Brewers fans love Lucroy. It was a show of love and appreciation.

You seem to be suggesting that the Brewers have to trade Lucroy. They don't. Lucroy's value is very high, so the Brewers are entertaining offers for him. Everyone on the Brewers' side of the fence would be perfectly happy keeping him if the right offer isn't presented.

That'd be a good idea. Let Lucroy leave in free agency with just an extra draft pick to show for it.

I'm not suggesting that they have to trade him, rather that they should.

 

[RP-29]

That'd be a good idea. Let Lucroy leave in free agency with just an extra draft pick to show for it.

I'm not suggesting that they have to trade him, rather that they should.

My personal preference is to not trade Lucroy and not exercise the $5M team option for next year; instead, sign him to a 5-year deal on par for what he's worth. I've spoken to a lot of Brewers fans who have echoed that preference.

Would Lucroy want to re-sign with the Brewers? Maybe. It depends on his perspective of the imminent direction of the team and what his true priorities are - two things us as fans could not possibly know.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

This might belong here:

I just dont understand it at all- no way was that option ever going to be declined for whoever trades for him- or a trade just would not even happen.

He seems upset about not playing catcher everyday too- well dude- you are gonna come up for your next contract at the age of 32- MIGHT be a good idea to try and mitigate the wear and tear on him. How many guys in their early 30's can play catcher everyday and still hit? Anyone in the bigs?

true. I think he's got a shitty agent (which explains why he has such a shitty contract in the first place) who advised him to try to use the no-trade clause as leverage, but he severely overplayed his hand.

The Indians wouldn't guarantee that Lucroy would be the starting first baseman in 2017 - Lucroy took that to mean he was going to play backup to Gomes. I don't believe that either. That was Lucroy's opportunity to back out of the deal without looking like a mo-ron. It was just spin.

He overplayed his hand, now he'll likely stay in Milwaukee until the offseason (missing a 2016 playoff opportunity), when he'll be traded to one of the 22 teams not on his list and be in the exact same situation he was in.

He should fire his agent.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

My personal preference is to not trade Lucroy and not exercise the $5M team option for next year; instead, sign him to a 5-year deal on par for what he's worth. I've spoken to a lot of Brewers fans who have echoed that preference.

I'm interested in hearing what, in your opinion, Lucroy is worth.

What is the total dollar figure you're talking about giving to Lucroy for those five years?

 

[RP-29]

I'm interested in hearing what, in your opinion, Lucroy is worth.

What is the total dollar figure you're talking about giving to Lucroy for those five years?

$85M - $100M

Lucroy is one of the top five catchers in baseball.

The other four in the top five are (in financial order):
Posey @ $20M average annual
McCann @ 17
Molina @ 15
Perez @ 8.75

Perez is obviously on a team-friendly below-market contract too, so let's chop that one out of the equation for fairness to Luc. The average of the other three salaries would be $17.3M/y. Also in fairness to Luc, Luc's production is right there with Posey's in every category.

Considering he has heavily out-performed his current contract and is still in the prime of his career, I'd have no problem giving Lucroy a 5-year $100M deal. I honestly don't know how Brewers' management would feel about that contract, but that's what I think he's worth and deserves.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

$85M - $100M

Lucroy is one of the top five catchers in baseball.

The other four in the top five are (in financial order):
Posey @ $20M average annual
McCann @ 17
Molina @ 15
Perez @ 8.75

Perez is obviously on a team-friendly below-market contract too, so let's chop that one out of the equation for fairness to Luc. The average of the other three salaries would be $17.3M/y. Also in fairness to Luc, Luc's production is right there with Posey's in every category.

Considering he has heavily out-performed his current contract and is still in the prime of his career, I'd have no problem giving Lucroy a 5-year $100M deal. I honestly don't know how Brewers' management would feel about that contract, but that's what I think he's worth and deserves.

I actually expected you to have a much lower number.

I think 5yr/$100MM is a little high for a 31-year-old catcher, but not so out of the question that it's worth debating.

I understand that you and other Brewers fans you've discussed this with would be happy if the Brewers tore up his 2017 option and offered him $100MM for 5. It's not realistic, though.

The Brewers' opening day payroll was $64MM. Assuming the rest of the payroll obligations stay the same (they won't), if they were to give Lucroy $20MM per, they'd have an $80MM payroll with Braun and Lucroy making up half of it.

If he's not traded before the start of 2017, I'll be pretty surprised.

 

[RP-29]

I actually expected you to have a much lower number.

I think 5yr/$100MM is a little high for a 31-year-old catcher, but not so out of the question that it's worth debating.

I understand that you and other Brewers fans you've discussed this with would be happy if the Brewers tore up his 2017 option and offered him $100MM for 5. It's not realistic, though.

The Brewers' opening day payroll was $64MM. Assuming the rest of the payroll obligations stay the same (they won't), if they were to give Lucroy $20MM per, they'd have an $80MM payroll with Braun and Lucroy making up half of it.

If he's not traded before the start of 2017, I'll be pretty surprised.

If Stearns (new GM) was able to somehow offload Garza's $12.5M/y contract that Melvin (old GM) gifted the team with, that would make the payroll difference only about +$3M if Luc got $20M. And even if he can't, $80M total payroll is at the bottom of the league but the Brewers aren't broke. They could afford more, just chose not to because of the rebuilding process.

 

[RP-29]

Deadline is here. Any word on if Texas got him?

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

If Stearns (new GM) was able to somehow offload Garza's $12.5M/y contract that Melvin (old GM) gifted the team with, that would make the payroll difference only about +$3M if Luc got $20M. And even if he can't, $80M total payroll is at the bottom of the league but the Brewers aren't broke. They could afford more, just chose not to because of the rebuilding process.

I agree they could do $80MM, in fact, they were over $100MM last year. That said, they're in rebuilding mode, and even at a $100MM payroll, what sense does it make to use 40% of it on two aging guys?

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

Deadline is here. Any word on if Texas got him?

Yep. Texas with Jeffriess.

 

[Mondo Jay]

He wouldn't be a backup but the Indians wanted him to play first base. He wants to catch majority of the time which he should. Peace.

Give no peace a chance!

 

[Hambombs]

Lucroy, beltran, and Jeffries! We just got a lot better

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

Give no peace a chance!

Ha!

Have you seen these bumper stickers?

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

Lucroy, beltran, and Jeffries! We just got a lot better

No doubt!

 

[RP-29]

I agree they could do $80MM, in fact, they were over $100MM last year. That said, they're in rebuilding mode, and even at a $100MM payroll, what sense does it make to use 40% of it on two aging guys?

Yep. Texas with Jeffriess.

Well, it would have made sense if those two aging guys could end up having their numbers hanging up at Miller Park when they call it a career. If Luc would've stayed, his number would probably have been up there.

I'm not torn up about losing Jeffress. He's K-Rod 2.0... He's gotten saves, but he's not comfortable unless there are guys in scoring position. Every 9th inning is an adventure.

Any word on what the Brewers got in return?

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

Well, it would have made sense if those two aging guys could end up having their numbers hanging up at Miller Park when they call it a career. If Luc would've stayed, his number would probably have been up there.

The thought of a shitbag like Braun having his number retired makes my stomach turn. I think he's the biggest piece of shit from the Steroid Era.

 

[RP-29]

The thought of a shitbag like Braun having his number retired makes my stomach turn. I think he's the biggest piece of shit from the Steroid Era.

It will probably happen because of his baseball aptitude and longevity in a Brewers uniform, not because of his personality or personal history.