Mets Rumors: Interest In Jonathan Lucroy

New York Mets rumors continue to heat up, as they are interested in acquiring catcher Jonathan Lucroy from the Milwaukee Brewers.

New York Metsrumors have not been as rampant as their New York co-tennants, the New York Yankees, but the Mets know what they want to do at the deadline. The Mets will be buyers, as their assistant general manager John Riccosaidhe expects them to make a deal prior to the deadline.

He guessed that the Mets would focus on adding help to their bullpen, and that a major deal like the one forYoenis Cespedesat the trade deadline last season not being in the cards. But, it sounds like he was not showing his full hand, as reports have surfaced that the Mets are looking to make a major splash.

One of the biggest and most valuable trade chips that could be available in the coming days is Milwaukee Brewers catcherJonathan Lucroy. There are many teams that could use Lucroy, and the Mets are one team that has beenspeculatively linkedto recently.

Lucroy would be an excellent fit for the Mets, as he would upgrade their struggling lineup and immediately fill their hole they have at catcher.Travis d’Arnaudhad fallen short of expectations, and catcher has become a bit of a black hole for the Mets this season. They are getting no production from the spot, and Lucroy would change that.

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Lucroy is having an excellent 2016, bouncing back from his injury-plagued 2015. This season Lucroy is slashing .301/..362/.491 with 13 home runs, 50 RBI, 46 runs, 16 doubles and five stolen bases after slashing .264/.326/.391 with only seven home runs and 43 RBI.

The interest in the Lucroy from the Mets is real, as they have already sent an offer to the Brewers for him. According toKristie Ackert of the New York Daily News, the Mets have already sent an offer to the Brewers of d’Arnaud for Lucroy straight up. It was a deal that the Brewers declined, and rightfully so.

While d’Arnaud was a highly regarded prospect not too long ago, he has yet to live up to those expectations. Trading Lucroy straight up for him would be a fleece for the Mets, but with so many other teams in the running for him it makes sense that the Brewers would wait it out.

Lucroy is not only a productive player, but he has a very reasonable contract. This is the last year in his deal, but he has a very affordable player option for $5.25 million for 2017. For a team that may be cash strapped such as the Mets, acquiring a player with that kind of production at that price would be ideal.

Because of that, it would not be surprising to see the Brewers ask for a big package from the Mets. d’Arnaud will probably be included, but it would not be a surprise to see the Brewers ask for one of the young starters, such asSteven MatzorZack Wheeler.

Asking forNoah SyndergaardorJacob deGromwould probably end the conversation from the Mets, but we saw the Mets willing to move Wheeler last season to the Brewers along withWilmer Floresin exchange forCarlos Gomezbefore the deal fell apart.

If the Mets do not want to move a starting pitcher, they have some position players that could pique the interest of the Brewers. The question would be, are the Mets willing to move someone such asDominic Smith,Amed Rosario,Brandon NimmoorGavin Cecchinifor Lucroy.

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It is something the Mets will have to weigh in the coming days, as rumors will continue to run rampant leading up to the MLB Trade Deadline. Lucroy would be an excellent addition and could help put them on a similar path that the Cespedes acquisition did last season.

This will not be the last we hear of the Mets and Brewers talking a deal, as the Mets could also be interested in two of their bullpen arms,Will SmithandJeremy Jeffress.

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