Early Sunday reports that prized Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy would be traded to the Indians proved premature.
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The two holes in the Indians roster are in late relief and behind the plate.
The Indians placed 2014 American League Silver Slugger Yan Gomes on the 15-day disabled list with a separated right shoulder and activated fellow catcher Roberto Perez from the 60-day D.L.to fill the roster spot last Monday. Miller is now the highest paid player on the Indians which feels a little lopsided to me.
A baseball official familiar with the Mets’ plans said the club is pursuing multiple trade avenues, not just the Cincy star, although the Reds have scouted Kevin Plawecki in the Mets minor leagues as well as several other Met prospects, according to sources.
But Lucroy opted to exercise his no-trade clause Sunday morning, thus voiding the deal.
Into his 7th season with the Brewers, Lucroy made the All-Star for the second time in his career.
Keon Broxton and Chris Carter hit solo home runs as Milwaukee completed a three-game sweep.
Lucroy used his veto power to block the trade to Cleveland. Included among the prospects would have been prized switch-hitting catcher Francisco Mejia, 20, and outfielder Greg Allen, 23. Justus Sheffield is 20 years old and is MLBPipeline’s 95th ranked prospect in the game. Chang is a shortstop who may eventually fill out at third base. “But, he’s making progress, so we thought it best to not play him”.
Perhaps most importantly for the Rangers, Lucroy cannot veto a deal to the Rangers, who are not one of the eight teams on his partial no-trade list.
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This would be a great trade for the Mets, as Lucroy knows how to lead a pitching staff and that is something the Mets need with their young and dynamic rotation. The two could also try to work out an extension that could increase Lucroy’s meager guarantee for 2017 and add on a few years, especially considering that the Indians sold their future catcher in the process of acquiring Lucroy. We are within 24 hours of the trade deadline, so it will be a bumpy road between the rest of today and tomorrow as many players are figuring to be on the move.
