Bruce Levine‏

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The White Sox are in the catching market for their up and coming pitching staff. Does Jonathan Lucroy make sense here?

 

Depends on the money...would he sign just a bargain basement one-year deal, and how willing would he be to include an option for 2019?

 

If you're only getting him for one year, the payoff's/upside's considerably less.

 

And what is a bargain for a catcher? The same as Holland made for us? $7-8 million?

Edited November 16, 20178 yr by caulfield12

I don't think the money matters if the Astros are interested in Lucroy.

 

https://www.mlbdailydish.com/2017/11/15/166...jonathan-lucroy

He’d definitely be a guy I’d target this offseason. Convince him that a year at the Cell could help those power numbers rebound. I believe historically he’s been a pretty good framer (not sure about 2017) so help the young staff for a few months before possibly becoming an interesting trade chip.

I don't think the money matters if the Astros are interested in Lucroy.

 

https://www.mlbdailydish.com/2017/11/15/166...jonathan-lucroy

You think he finally reaches free agency as a 31 year old catcher and he’s going to take a part time role with a competitor rather do everything he can to maximize his long-term earnings? I don’t see that happening at all. If he can’t secure a nice long-term deal this off-season, he’ll probably take a one year deal that ensures him the most playing time in an offensive-friendly environment and look for a better payday next year.

You think he finally reaches free agency as a 31 year old catcher and he’s going to take a part time role with a competitor rather do everything he can to maximize his long-term earnings? I don’t see that happening at all. If he can’t secure a nice long-term deal this off-season, he’ll probably take a one year deal that ensures him the most playing time in an offensive-friendly environment and look for a better payday next year.

 

Why would he be a part-time player? If anything, it would push McCann into the empty DH spot they currently have. And could probably non-tender Gattis.

Why would he be a part-time player? If anything, it would push McCann into the empty DH spot they currently have. And could probably non-tender Gattis.

You really think they’d non-tender Gattis though? He was pretty damn good in 2016 and is already under control. Plus the DH spot isn’t really empty when you consider they have Gonzalez, Springer, Reddick, & Fisher all needing everyday playing time. Best case scenario they dump Gattis and he splits the role with McCann. Worst case scenario it’s a three-way time-share with Gattis getting some playing at 1B/DH. I just don’t see how either situation is desirable for a guy who should be looking for a big payday within the next year so. He really should go somewhere where he’s certain to get the vast majority of the playing time at catcher to rebuild his value.

You really think they’d non-tender Gattis though? He was pretty damn good in 2016 and is already under control. Plus the DH spot isn’t really empty when you consider they have Gonzalez, Springer, Reddick, & Fisher all needing everyday playing time. Best case scenario they dump Gattis and he splits the role with McCann. Worst case scenario it’s a three-way time-share with Gattis getting some playing at 1B/DH. I just don’t see how either situation is desirable for a guy who should be looking for a big payday within the next year so. He really should go somewhere where he’s certain to get the vast majority of the playing time at catcher to rebuild his value.

 

I mean yeah it's probably not a perfect without some pieces moving but they could make it work. Especially since Gattis is pretty much a platoon player at this point. I think if Lucroy wants to rebuild value, he will take a 1-year deal in Colorado.

 

I also forgot they have 4 guys in the OF that should play every day. Man they have so much depth.

Edited November 16, 20178 yr by soxfan2014

I mean yeah it's probably not a perfect without some pieces moving but they could make it work. Especially since Gattis is pretty much a platoon player at this point. I think if Lucroy wants to rebuild value, he will take a 1-year deal in Colorado.

 

I also forgot they have 4 guys in the OF that should play every day. Man they have so much depth.

My point is I just don’t see it being optimal for Lucroy. Didn’t he pass up on a chance to play for the Indians in 2016 because they wouldn’t void his option and allow him to become a free agent a year early? He really doesn’t seem like the type of guy to potentially sacrifice his future earning potential for a better chance at winning a championship in the short-run.

As much as I am ok with the Narvaez/Smith platoon behind the plate, I'm kind of expecting some regression from Smith. I would be fine with Lucroy on a 1-year deal.

I’d be down with Lucroy. Always been a fan of his since Milwaukee. I’d be ok with a Matt Winters-esque deal for him. 2y/21m, second year being a 10.5M team option.

I’d be down with Lucroy. Always been a fan of his since Milwaukee. I’d be ok with a Matt Winters-esque deal for him. 2y/21m, second year being a 10.5M team option.

Lucroy has been a substantially better catcher than Wieters was before they hit FA. Both of them were 1 WAR players the year before FA, but Lucroy was a 4 win player just 2 seasons ago while Weiters has been a 1 WAR a year player for 4 years. He's got to get a better deal than Weiters. Either shorter "prove you're still a 4 win player" money or longer or more a year or something.

Honestly, I don't care much about offense from our catchers right now. I want a pitcher's catcher in there with our young staff. Someone who can impart wisdom, be solid defensively, and frame a bit to minimize wear and tear on young arms. On a team that isn't going to compete, having a catcher that can aid the growth of our staff might be the one thing I really want to see the White Sox do this winter.

Lucroy though went from one of the best framing catchers in the league to one of the worst. But, if he has a rep for handling pitching staff well then I'm okay with that too. Still really like my stupid idea for caleb joseph, but he's also like the perfect backup catcher as you bring up Sisco.

Lucroy though went from one of the best framing catchers in the league to one of the worst. But, if he has a rep for handling pitching staff well then I'm okay with that too. Still really like my stupid idea for caleb joseph, but he's also like the perfect backup catcher as you bring up Sisco.

Would people go 3/$36 for Lucroy? I'm kinda guessing here but the Denver Post a couple weeks ago referred to him as getting "more money than Jason Castro signed". That seems like they'd be in the 3 year deal range and going from 8 to 12 million fits that he's performed better.

I would. I don't think that would be a particularly hard contract to get rid of.

I would. I don't think that would be a particularly hard contract to get rid of.

Next question on the list - could we get anything of value for either of our catchers if we traded them to someone to be a backup?

Next question on the list - could we get anything of value for either of our catchers if we traded them to someone to be a backup?

 

Depends how you define value. Both have options I believe and no reason to get rid of prior to needing a spot in AAA for Collins or Zevala.