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Detroit Tigers: Building Ideal Jonathan Lucroy Trade

By Ben Rosener

Aug 9, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy (20) hits a single in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Miller Park. At right is Los Angeles Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis (17). Lucroy had 3 hits as the Brewers beat the Dodgers 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 9, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy (20) hits a single in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Miller Park. At right is Los Angeles Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis (17). Lucroy had 3 hits as the Brewers beat the Dodgers 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Tigers
Jun 23, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers catcher James McCann (34) receives congratulations from right fielder Steven Moya (33) after he hits a two run home run in the fourth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila may just swing a trade after all. The Tigers are reportedly interested in Jonathan Lucroy. Here’s how a potential trade could look.

Detroit Tigers catchers have been up and down this season—this much is true. However with James McCann just 26-years-old and Jarrod Saltalamacchia showing well in limited playing time, the team is likely set for the present and future.

Then the news came out that the Tigers were reportedly interested in Milwaukee catcher Johnathan Lucroy. The report came from Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, who tweeted, “Sources: The #Tigers are one of the teams talking to the #Brewers about Johnathan Lucroy.”

The appeal with Lucroy is obvious. One of the better defensive catchers in the game, the 30-year-old is also a force at the dish. He’s hit .288 since becoming a regular in 2011, and has averaged 61 RBI, 28 doubles, 13 home runs, five stolen bases and four triples per season since 2013.

In 2014, the veteran led the league with 53 doubles while finishing fourth in the MVP voting, ahead of the likes of Buster Posey, Anthony Rizzo and Adrian Gonzalez. So far in 2016, the Brewers backstop is batting .301 with 50 RBI, 16 doubles, 13 home runs, five stolen bases and three triples. His on-base percentage sits at .362, while his OPS checks in at .849.

Lucroy is also controllable through 2017 on an extremely team-friendly contract. Per Spotrac, the catcher is owed $4.35 million this season, with a club option valued at $5.25 million for 2017.

His addition would undoubtedly give the Tigers baseball’s deepest and most dangerous lineup. His acquisition could also help Detroit finally overtake Cleveland in the division race and make some serious noise in the playoffs.

Here’s a breakdown of an ideal trade to acquire Lucroy from Milwaukee.

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