Arlington, Texas – The Texas Rangers today announced that the club has acquired catcher Jonathan Lucroy and right-handed pitcher Jeremy Jeffress from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for minor league outfielder Lewis Brinson, right-handed pitcher Luis Ortiz, and a player to be named later.
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There’s a chance the Brewers will get to choose from Rangers selected in the 2016 MLB Draft that took place in June; it’s also possible Milwaukee simply didn’t have enough time before the trade deadline to pick a player. Please see our terms of service for more information. In 95 games with the Brewers this season, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette product has slashed 0.299/0.359/0.482 with 13 home runs and 50 runs batted in, earning his second All-Star nod. Since taking over, Jeffress has gone 2-2 with a 2.27 ERA, and 26 saves in 43.2 innings of work.
On Monday, Lucroy sounded happy to be dealt to Texas, where he’ll be on a contending team and closer to his home of Lafayette, La. He has a $4 million salary this year as part of a contract that includes a $5.25 million team option for 2017.
The trade for Carlos Beltran was one thing, with three prospects going to the Yankees from Single-A or short-season ball. He likely will be in a setup role for the Rangers behind Sam Dyson.
Pitcher Jeremy Jeffress is also headed to the Rangers in the deal. He was a first-round pick by the Rangers (#29 overall) in the 2012 draft, and despite an early slump and an injury this year, had returned to hitting well in Frisco this year.
There was no immediate confirmation from the Rangers or the Milwaukee Brewers as the non-waiver trade deadline passed Monday, but Lucroy posted on his verified Twitter account that he’s “moving on” to the Rangers and “can’t wait to get after it”.
Bickford this season went a combined 5-6 with a 2.71 ERA in 17 starts between Class-A Augusta (11gs, 3-4, 2.70era) and Class-A San Jose (6gs, 2-2, 2.73era).
Bickford was the Giants’ first-round pick in 2015 and is now MLBPipeline’s 65th-ranked overall prospect. He’s struggled a bit this year in Double-A Frisco, logging a 4.08 ERA and 1.36 walks plus hits per innings pitched (WHIP), but has still managed to strike out 34 batters in 39.2 innings pitched, while also bringing his walks-per-nine-innings rate down to a career low of 1.6.
The Brewers sit nine games under.500 and 15.5 games back from the National League Central-leading Cubs.
To make room on the 40-man roster for Lucroy and Jeffress, the team has designated catcher Bobby Wilson for assignment.
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Susac appeared in 87 games for the Giants in 2014 and 2015, batting.240 with six home runs and 33 RBI.
