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5 contending teams that should trade for Lucroy

Justin K. Aller / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Milwaukee Brewers are in the midst of a massive rebuild and Jonathan Lucroy has been dangled as one of the organization's best trade chips.

With the club's chance of winning in the foreseeable future slim, Lucroy indicated Tuesday that he would welcome a move to a contender.

Signed for the next two seasons under a team-friendly deal, there are a number of contenders who should be picking up the phone to call Brewers general manager David Stearns.

Washington Nationals

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo has reportedly already touched base regarding Lucroy, but balked at the Brewers' early demands. The Nationals could use the help behind the plate. Wilson Ramos and Jose Lobaton are coming off subpar seasons in which they combined to slash .223/.264/.345 with 18 home runs and 138 strikeouts. The duo was responsible for the Nationals finishing 25th in the league among catcher batting average and 28th in on-base percentage. While it's unlikely the Nationals part with top prospects Lucas Giolito or Trea Turner, they do have a strong enough group to form a potential package.

Texas Rangers

After using five different catchers last season, Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said in November that a front-line catcher is on his bucket list. The tandem of Robinson Chirinos and Chris Gimenez project to open the season as the Rangers' top options after the duo combined to hit .217 with 15 homers in 2015. There's been a long-time interest by Daniels in Lucroy, with the GM checking in on him during the All-Star break. The acquisition of Cole Hamels cost the Rangers some minor-league talent, but still boast a number of young prospects that include Chi Chi Gonzalez, Jurickson Profar, and Joey Gallo.

Los Angeles Angels

The Angels are in desperate need of adding offense, but owner Arte Moreno is hoping to keep the team under the $189-million tax threshold. Lucroy's contract ($4 million this season with a $5.25-million option for 2016) would fit in perfectly for LA. Lucroy could slide into the middle of the order, pushing Carlos Perez, who offered limited production from the plate last season and rates significantly worse defensively than Lucroy, into a backup role. Handicapping the Angels is the fact that they've already traded their top two pitching prospects away this winter.

Seattle Mariners

Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto acquired Steve Clevenger and Chris Iannetta to try to upgrade the least productive catching corp in the league last year, but the duo doesn't exactly project to be an offensive juggernaut. Eager to add players who get on base and strikeout less, Lucroy fits the mold of the type of player Dipoto wants to build around. The right-handed hitter would also complement a very lefty heavy lineup. Dipoto, who has already traded twice with Stearns this winter, could use starter Nathan Karns as an enticing starting point for the Brewers.

Houston Astros

The American League West is devoid of top-tier catching talent, as Houston is the fourth team in the division that would strongly benefit from adding Lucroy. Houston's catchers struck out a major league leading 180 times last season, while starter Jason Castro slashed .211/.283/.365 with 11 homers across 104 games. Though their loaded lineup helps mask the offensive deficiencies from behind the plate, a move to add Lucroy would help further the Astros in becoming one of the league's elite teams.

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