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Does Jonathan Lucroy’s Fantasy Value Increase In Texas?

By Mike Marteny

Jul 6, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy (20) walks off the field after striking out during the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Washington Nationals defeated Milwaukee Brewers 7-4. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 6, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy (20) walks off the field after striking out during the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Washington Nationals defeated Milwaukee Brewers 7-4. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Rangers win Jonathan Lucroy sweepstakes. Does it help Lucroy’s fantasy value?

One day after Lucroy vetoed a deal to Cleveland, he is sent to Texas instead, a team in which he couldn’t block a trade to. Lucroy is hitting .299 with 13 homers, 50 RBI, and five steals this year. Someone of this caliber doesn’t come cheap. Here are the details of the deal:

Lucroy’s fantasy value should only increase. His RBI totals should increase. I would expect his power and average to remain about the same, but you can’t complain about either of those. Lucroy is already the premier catcher in fantasy. This may just widen the gap a little.

The loser here is Robinson Chirinos. Chirinos hit eight homers in 104 at bats, but he hit only .192. Now you can safely drop him without cringing when you see he hit a home run on your bench.

Jeremy Jeffress is the overlooked part of this trade, but he could really help out the Rangers bullpen. Sam Dyson is 22/24 in save opportunities with a 2.42 ERA. Jeffress has 27 saves and a 2.22 ERA. Dyson is still the closer, and the Rangers have no reason to remove him. If you are in a league that counts holds, hang on to Jeffress. If not, he should still rack up enough strikeouts to help you in most leagues.

Tyler Thornburg has a 2.32 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 42.2 innings pitched. He will likely be the new closer in Milwaukee with both Will Smith and Jeffress gone. He is worth picking up in all leagues right now, yet is still available in 85% of ESPN.com leagues.

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Lewis Brinson is the prize of this deal for Milwuakee. He is the #16 rated prospect in all of baseball. Brinson was hitting .237 with 11 homers, 11 steals, and 40 RBI in 77 games at AA Frisco at the time of the trade. He could end up in Milwaukee when the rosters expand in about a month. Keep an eye on his playing time. He could help win your league down the stretch if he hits the ground running.

20 year old Luis Ortiz is also in the top 75 of every prospect list. Ortiz was 1-4 with a 4.08 ERA in eight starts at AA Frisco. He will be a fantasy contributor at some point, but it likely wont be for at least another two years.

The Rangers also get the proverbial “player to be named later.” This isn’t quite the haul that the Brewers would have got from Cleveland, but it will still help them in the long run.

Next: Is Francisco Liriano Worth Picking Up Down The Stretch?

Stay tuned to Fantasy CPR for the rest of the deadline deal breakdowns, and our daily DFS lineups!

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