Report: Brewers' asking price for Lucroy perceived to be 'too high'
The Milwaukee Brewers' lofty demands for All-Star catcher Jonathan Lucroy have reportedly held up any serious trade talks.
The Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, and Washington Nationals are among the teams who have reportedly engaged in trade discussions with the Brewers regarding Lucroy, major-league sources have told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. However, they've all apparently backed off when Milwaukee's asking price was deemed "too high."
It would make sense for the Brewers to trade Lucroy as they look to rebuild. The front office has already dealt away veterans Adam Lind and Francisco Rodriguez, while Lucroy, who owns a limited no-trade clause, represents arguably their most valuable trade chip. There's no shortage of teams devoid of catching talent, and after declining to discuss a long-term extension with Lucroy last season, it doesn't appear he's in the Brewers' long-term plans.
One of the top two-way catchers in the majors, Lucroy is coming off a challenging season that saw him limited to 103 games due to multiple injuries, including a broken toe and a concussion. The 29-year-old slashed .264/.326/.391 with seven home runs and 20 doubles when he was in the lineup, and remains under contract through next season at a reasonable salary of $4 million, with a $5.25-million team option for 2017.
An All-Star for the first time in 2014, Lucroy owns a .284/.349/.443 slash line with 38 home runs and 98 doubles over the past three seasons.