MLB Rumors: Indians to acquire Jonathan Lucroy?
The Cleveland Indians may be trying to upgrade the catcher position after Yan Gomes went down with an injury earlier this week.
The Cleveland Indians will enter Thursday with a 7.5 game lead over the second-place Detroit Tigers in the American League Central. 2016 is setting up to be the team’s best since 2007 when the Indians were one win away from a World Series berth.
A 56-38 record has the team off to a great start, but there are still a few noticeable holes to fill if the team wants to have a legitimate shot to win the World Series. Bullpen help is one of those, but another solid bat in the lineup would help the team to keep improving heading into the last two months of the season.
The catcher position has been a problem on offense all season, as Yan Gomes was hitting .165 before dislocating his shoulder Sunday. Roberto Perez and Chris Gimenez are expected to share the catching duties until Gomes is able to return, but the Indians front office may be looking for an upgrade altogether, according to several sources.
Sources: CLE in talks for MIL's Jonathan Lucroy. Perhaps Brantley's situation has pushed them to add a hitter & consider upgrade at catcher.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 20, 2016
Indians remain focused on pen but looking at other things, too. Lucroy discussed, but sounds like long shot for now.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 20, 2016
Originally was told #Indians preferred to stay status quo at catcher with Perez and Gimenez. Lucroy, though, would represent major upgrade.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 20, 2016
Buster Olney makes the great point of the Indians potentially looking for another hitter due to Michael Brantley’s nagging injuries that have kept him out for most of this season. His rehab always seems to turn into a setback, leaving the team without one of its best hitters.
Trading for Lucroy, who is hitting .305 with an OPS of .855 for the Milwaukee Brewers, could give the Indians that bat they desperately desire before the trade deadline passes.
The only question with acquiring him would be what to do with Gomes and whether Lucroy’s midseason introduction to the pitching staff would have any residual effects on one of the most dominant starting staffs in baseball.
His performance at the plate is a major upgrade over Gomes, but the chemistry Gomes has with the pitchers may be even more valuable. The same goes for Perez and Gimenez, who would lose time or be let go if Lucroy were to be acquired.
Jon Heyman and Ken Rosenthal mention it may be a slim possibility right now, but Olney’s tweet could mean the teams are exchanging more than just casual phone calls.