Detroit Tigers Trade Rumors: Jonathan Lucroy Could be a Fit

Trading for catcher Jonathan Lucroy would make sense for the Detroit Tigers, according to many national baseball experts.

Much of the trade deadline focus for Detroit Tigers fans — at least in a buying scenario — has revolved around the need for pitching, but several writers around the nation have pointed out that the Tigers could use a boost behind the plate as well.

Milwaukee Brewers All-Star catcher Jonathan Lucroy is one of the crown jewels of this year’s trade deadline according to Ben Lindbergh of The Ringer who sees the Tigers as a potential fit (albeit somewhat of a long shot).

"The Tigers, White Sox, and Mariners would love Lucroy: The three teams are tied with 0.3 WARP apiece from their catchers, with little reason to hope for much more. But their thin farm systems have one top-100 prospect between them (Mariners outfielder Alex Jackson), which would force them to raid their major league rosters, offsetting some of the benefit from adding Lucroy."

Lucroy’s contract contains a 2017 team option for a paltry sum of $5.25 million so he’s more than a rental and who command a significant return package for his current club.

The Tigers’ thin farm system is a real concern, but they probably have enough pieces to make a Lucroy trade work without having to pillage their big league club (contrary to what Lindbergh suggests).

Jonah Keri admits the Tigers will probably look to get help for their starting rotation over at CBS Sports, but he also sees Lucroy as a good fit in Detroit.

"a splashy move to replace one of the three members of the rotation not named Justin Verlander or Michael Fulmer can’t be ruled out. They haven’t had a better-than-average offensive performance from a catcher since Alex Avila‘s spike year and could benefit immensely from replacing the listless James McCann, so this could be another logical destination for Lucroy."

Acquiring Lucroy would allow the Tigers to option James McCann to AAA to work on his hitting. McCann has languished at the plate this year with a disastrous .197/.245/.303 batting line in over 200 plate appearances.

The Tigers could then finish out the year with Lucroy and Jarrod Saltalamacchia and allow McCann to grow into his role more slowly by filling in as the major league backup next season.

Next: 5 Tigers Who Could be Traded at the Deadline

The Detroit Tigers don’t appear poised to make a big splash at the deadline this year so better money is on them targeting a mid-to-lower tier starting pitcher, but the thought of Lucroy is intriguing nonetheless.

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