Texas will send prospects Lewis Brinson, Luis Ortiz and a player to be named later to Milwaukee in the deal.
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Lucroy, a 30-year-old who is regarded as one of the top five catchers in the game offensively and defensively, is under club control through 2017 at $5 million. “Really excited and can’t wait to get after it!” he posted on Twitter.
In another tweet, Lucroy thanked Brewers fans and said they would always have a special place in his heart.
Beltran has been in the league since 1998, making the postseason five times with four different teams. He will immediately become Texas’ starting catcher, replacing Robinson Chirinos.
Milwaukee also is parting ways with Jeffress, who had gone 2-2 with a 2.22 ERA and 27 saves in 28 chances. Jeffress has been the closer for Milwaukee all season, but he is expected to fill the setup role for the Rangers. In that event, Lucroy would be able to seek a multi-year deal elsewhere or accept the QO, which is about three times more than the option would pay him.
Meanwhile, the San Francisco Giants on Monday acquired left-handed reliever Will Smith from the Brewers to bolster their bullpen for the stretch run, sending backup catcher Andrew Susac and pitching prospect Phil Bickford to Milwaukee.
Brinson was selected by Texas in the first round (29th overall) of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft. 237 with 14 doubles, six triples, 11 home runs and 40 RBIs in 77 games.
Brinson has played most of this season with Class AA Frisco, batting. Between a combination of A+ and Double-A this season, Ortiz has a 3.48 ERA and 8.3 K/9 ratio.
Adding Lucroy and Jeffress, as well as New York’s Carlos Beltran has arguably made Texas the World Series favorites in 2016. Only 20 years old, Ortiz has a mid-90s fastball and a low-80s slider, which are both plus offerings. 265 with 25 homers and a National League-leading 80 RBIs. However, this trade did come at a heavy cost, trading away two of the team’s top three prospects.
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With the non-waiver trade deadline not coming until Monday afternoon, a lot may still happen and Lucroy could wake up in another team’s (not in his no-trade list) uniform.
