MLB 2016

[🏀]

Wanted the Indians to pass up on next year's option AND a guarantee of playing catcher in the future. So much for the "I just want to be on a winning team" narrative he told us so much about over the past 6 months.

Nah, he's protecting his worth. His value plummets not catching full time.

[buckchuckler]

Wanted the Indians to pass up on next year's option AND a guarantee of playing catcher in the future. So much for the "I just want to be on a winning team" narrative he told us so much about over the past 6 months.

The Brewers gave him the no trade protection.  Nothing to complain about. 

[ChuckyChip]

Rangers talking to Brewers about Lucroy.  Since Texas is not on his no trade list, Lucroy cannot block a trade there.

[jsglow]

Wanted the Indians to pass up on next year's option AND a guarantee of playing catcher in the future. So much for the "I just want to be on a winning team" narrative he told us so much about over the past 6 months.

While true,  a reasonable position for Luc to take with a big payday coming in 15 months.

[wadesworld]

Never said he didn't have the right to do it and that the Brewers didn't give him that power. Doesn't mean his cute narrative about just wanting to play baseball for a team competing in October wasn't completely false. If it were true he'd be catching for the Cleveland Indians today. He's not because it's all about Luc, not all about winning.

[GGGG]

Never said he didn't have the right to do it and that the Brewers didn't give him that power. Doesn't mean his cute narrative about just wanting to play baseball for a team competing in October wasn't completely false. If it were true he'd be catching for the Cleveland Indians today. He's not because it's all about Luc, not all about winning.

Yes wades.  Players oftentimes aren't entirely truthful when giving interviews about their motivations.  Thanks for unearthing that nugget of information.

[wadesworld]

Yes wades.  Players oftentimes aren't entirely truthful when giving interviews about their motivations.  Thanks for unearthing that nugget of information.

Didn't know this was a revolutionary "inearthing" of "that nugget of information." You are very welcome, sultan. Glad to be of assistance.

[wadesworld]

Nah, he's protecting his worth. His value plummets not catching full time.

While true,  a reasonable position for Luc to take with a big payday coming in 15 months.

If he can't win the starting catching job over Yan Gomes then he's probably not in for a big payday anyways.

[GGGG]

If he can't win the starting catching job over Yan Gomes then he's probably not in for a big payday anyways.

That's not the point.  He can "win the starting job" over Gomes easily if this were a binary option.  However if the Indians want to stick with Gomes at C, and then use Lucroy at either 1B or DH, it lessens his value.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Wanted the Indians to pass up on next year's option AND a guarantee of playing catcher in the future. So much for the "I just want to be on a winning team" narrative he told us so much about over the past 6 months.

It sounded like the main issue was they weren't willing to guarantee him playing time at catcher in 2017.  With him coming up on free agency that could certainly hurt his value.  If that is the case I completely understand the decision he made. 

[NotBuzzWilliams]

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/there-are-no-villains-in-the-jonathan-lucroy-story/

Everyone involved is acting in their own best interests.  No need to get mad at anyone.

[wadesworld]

It sounded like the main issue was they weren't willing to guarantee him playing time at catcher in 2017.  With him coming up on free agency that could certainly hurt his value.  If that is the case I completely understand the decision he made.

I understand it would hurt his value in free agency if he isn't catching. But no club in the world is going to guarantee you're playing a certain position in a certain role 8 months away from that season. Jonathan Lucroy should have absolutely no worries about Yan Gomes catching over him if that's the position he wants to play. The Indians aren't going to play a worse player (and Gomes is far and away that) at a far more important position just because he had that spot before an injury.

[jsglow]

Never said he didn't have the right to do it and that the Brewers didn't give him that power. Doesn't mean his cute narrative about just wanting to play baseball for a team competing in October wasn't completely false. If it were true he'd be catching for the Cleveland Indians today. He's not because it's all about Luc, not all about winning.

That's a lot of hate there wades.  Sure Lucroy would like to have a chance at a ring.  He simply decided that the personal sacrifice in going to CLE wasn't in his best interest right now.  Pretty simple the way I see it.  Moreover, I think he's been very open and honest with Brewers management and fans.  It's all good.

[jsglow]

I understand it would hurt his value in free agency if he isn't catching. But no club in the world is going to guarantee you're playing a certain position in a certain role 8 months away from that season. Jonathan Lucroy should have absolutely no worries about Yan Gomes catching over him if that's the position he wants to play. The Indians aren't going to play a worse player (and Gomes is far and away that) at a far more important position just because he had that spot before an injury.

But with another #1 catcher on the roster Luc could reasonably assume that he won't catch 130 games in CLE and would have to play his share of first and DH.  He simply decided that situation wasn't in his best interest.  In his mind he is better off staying in MKE.  Simple as that.

[NotBuzzWilliams]

I understand it would hurt his value in free agency if he isn't catching. But no club in the world is going to guarantee you're playing a certain position in a certain role 8 months away from that season. Jonathan Lucroy should have absolutely no worries about Yan Gomes catching over him if that's the position he wants to play. The Indians aren't going to play a worse player (and Gomes is far and away that) at a far more important position just because he had that spot before an injury.

Whether he is a better catcher than Gomes or not is irrelevant.  The Indians would rather use Lucroy at 1B or DH for $5 million than finding someone in free agency.  Napoli's contract is up after the year and Carlos Santana has a $12 million team option for 2017 (with a $1.2 million buyout.)  It would have been cheapest for them to have Lucroy and Gomes both in the lineup.

[GGGG]

I understand it would hurt his value in free agency if he isn't catching. But no club in the world is going to guarantee you're playing a certain position in a certain role 8 months away from that season. Jonathan Lucroy should have absolutely no worries about Yan Gomes catching over him if that's the position he wants to play. The Indians aren't going to play a worse player (and Gomes is far and away that) at a far more important position just because he had that spot before an injury.

You are acting as if this is like a quarterback on a football team.  It isn't.  Lucroy has skills that transfer to other positions.  Quarterbacks don't.  They either play quarterback or they sit.

The Indians could very well determine, that although Lucroy is a better catcher, that the team is better with Gomes catching and Lucroy at first.

And really why are you so strident about this?  Who cares what he said earlier this year?  People say things but change their mind over time.  Lucroy has been good for the Brewers.

[jsglow]

I'm sensing that Luc might be staying put until the winter meetings.  This is a big moment for the young GM.

[wadesworld]

The market for relievers is through the roof.

[wadesworld]

Not impressed.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Not impressed.

With?

[MUsoxfan]

In keeping with tradition, Sox management sitting around with thumbs firmly up asses

[MerrittsMustache]

Cubs' newest reliever.

[buckchuckler]

I can't believe the Brewers had the nerve to ask for Bickford for Smith, much less get both him and Susac.  Brewers didn't do as well as the Yankees, but they seem to have done really well with these two as well as Brinson and Ortiz. 

[GGGG]

Do the Brewers have good catching prospects in their system somewhere?

[MerrittsMustache]

Do the Brewers have good catching prospects in their system somewhere?

They do now. Susac was a top 100 prospect prior to an injury-plagued 2015. He's had a solid bounce back year so far.