Jonathan Lucroy explains why Cleveland was not a fit

Former Brewer and now Rangers catcher Jonathan Lucroy says his uncertain future as an Indian swayed him away from agreeing to join the club.

In a week where former Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy –the most rumored and debated trade chip in Major League Baseball over the past year— was traded not only once, but twice, it is easy to imagine that it was a roller coaster of a week for him.

After months of deliberation around his name, there was finally the right deal in place last Saturday that would find Lucroy a new home, and that destination ended up being with the Cleveland Indians. However, that deal was never able to be fully executed, as Lucroy vetoed the deal himself because the Indians were one of eight teams he was protected from being dealt to as a part of his contract’s no-trade clause.

Ultimately, he was still traded away to the Texas Rangers, in a deal that transpired within the last few seconds of Monday’s non-waiver trade deadline. And both sides in that deal got what they wanted: the Brewers received a stockpile of prospects from a team rich in them, while Lucroy was able to escape Milwaukee’s rebuilding effort and join a contender.

But meanwhile, the Indians were left high and dry; coming up empty in their attempts to amplify their everyday lineup amid an intensifying American League Central pennant chase. But what is so different about the Indians in comparison to the Rangers? Both teams are atop their respective divisions, have competitive teams that are built to do so again next season and have needs at catcher.

Ultimately, it was not an issue of location that soured Lucroy against becoming an Indian. Rather, it was an issue of fit. The Indians frontline catcher, Yan Gomes, is currently out of action with an A/C joint separation that he is just beginning to rehab. Meanwhile, the Indians are fending off a Detroit Tigers team that has won eight of its last 10 and has narrowed Cleveland’s divisional lead to just three games. They needed an upgrade at the position and saw Lucroy as a suitable fit and were willing to pay the price.

However, what they were not willing to do was to view him as a long-term upgrade. According to a piece published by Robert Sanchez, Lucroy indicates that the Indians unwillingness to assure him that he would be able to hold on to the position when Gomes is healthy is what made him veto the trade and cause the Brewers to go back to the drawing board in finding a new home for him.

The Indians preference was to have Lucroy spend time not only at catcher, but also at first base and designated hitter over the next year, something that he was not willing to do, as it could negatively affect his value as catcher. The 30-year-old is scheduled to hit free agency after next season, but has a team option that can be picked up after this season.

In the piece, Lucroy understands why Indians fans would be upset at his decision, but he also does not blame the club for wanting keep Gomes in place as well. He simply is a catcher that wants to both play –and earn— at his chosen position.

In the end, Lucroy landed in a great place in Texas with a chance to compete for an American League Championship this season. And it could be one that takes him through Cleveland at some point either way. He will just be seeing it from a different vantage point, and it will be his chosen one.