The New York Mets seem to have an interest in Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy. Current Mets catcher Travis d’Arnaud seems to be one constant piece in any package being talked about between both teams.
Kristie Ackert of the NY Daily News reports that the Brewers have rejected a straight one-on-one offer of the two catchers. For the Mets’ ability to stay relevant in the Lucroy sweepstakes, then the Mets are going to need to trade someone in addition to Travis d’Arnaud. As of Sunday, there is no imminent deal between both teams.
Jonathan Lucroy has been linked to the Mets as a possible solution to their hitting woes, although the Mets were still considering Travis d’Arnaud as their catcher of the future. However, you can not take the Mets as a possible candidate mostly due to D’Arnaud’s presence and due to the lack of minor league depth. While the Mets have some impressive prospects on hand like Dominic Smith and Brandon Nimmo, their system is still rather thin overall.
For dealing Travis d’Arnaud and years of a controllable top prospect, the Mets could possibly land one of the top catchers in baseball in Jonathan Lucroy. Not only has Lucroy been able to bounce back after an injury-plagued 2015 season, he has been able to re-establish himself as one of the game’s top bargains.
If the Mets are able to pull the trigger on this deal for Lucroy, it could be a low-risk, high reward setting for the Mets. Lucroy is in the final guaranteed year of a five-year, $11 million extension that was signed prior to his breakout 2012 season. There is also a team option on his services for only $5.23 million for 2017. While the Mets have payroll limitations, they may be eagerly willing to try to obtain a top-tier talent at a bargain price.
Lucroy may not be the only Mets target that plays for the Brewers. The Mets are looking to add relief help and have been linked to relievers Jeremy Jeffress and Will Smith. From sources that spoke with Kristie Ackert, the Brewers were one of many teams that recently scouted the Mets’ lower level minor league clubs.