Milwaukee Brewers: A Second Look At Jonathan Lucroy

Former Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy is still without a contract. Between Manny Pina and Stephen Vogt there is no immediate need for the Crew, but the value could be worth it.

This is a second look because earlier Reviewing the Brew did explore this idea. Matthew did a very good job with that article, but three months later things are different. A slow offseason might have dropped Lucroy’s price enough to be worth another look from the Milwaukee Brewers.

The odds are very much against this scenario. In fact, in all likelihood, the backstop is not even on David Stearns radar. But he should be. If there is a cheap contract, then the Brewer lineup has the potential to become a lot better.

For whatever reason, lets call it his -13.5 offensive worth from 2017, Lucroy is still available. It a similar output from his 2015 season with the Brewers. The WAR from 2015 and 2017 is essentially the same, both with a negative offensive worth. However is 2016 proved to have better numbers.

Lucroy is 31 years old. The same age as Lorenzo Cain and Yu Darvish. But that age means something different because of his position. However, the long time Brewer might be worth signing if he comes cheap because of what he can do.

In a Milwaukee Brewers uniform, Lucroy is a .284 hitter. That kind of familiarity could come into play in getting a resurgent year. If no one signs him, and it looks like that might happen, it becomes an exceedingly cheap deal.

It is more than just hoping for a glimpse of the Lucroy of old. The addition of this veteran also brings postseason experience. While the current lineup is extremely talented, it does lack October experience.

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If nothing else, the prospect of a cheap deal with Lucroy is certainly interesting. That being said, it is equally unlikely. With the theoretical dropping of prices, it could be a very good deal for the Milwaukee Brewers prior to the 2018 season.