Colorado Rockies trade rumors: Jonathan Lucroy to Denver?

In a few tweets from early this morning by reporters for the Texas Rangers and the Rockies, a trade for Jonathan Lucroy could come to fruition by the trade deadline at 2 PM MST.

According to Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Rockies/Rangers negotiation for Jonathan Lucroy “has legs.”

T.R. Sullivan, of MLB.com, is also hearing the same as Wilson:

Thomas Harding, also of MLB.com, is also hearing the same as Sullivan and Wilson:

We have discussed the potential of a Jonathan Lucroy trade in four different articles recently (going back to nearly two weeks ago). The need for the Rockies is very clear considering that the four catchers that the Rockies have utilized this season (Tony Wolters, Ryan Hanigan, Dustin Garneau, and Tom Murphy) have had a terrible offensive output this season with a .233 batting average, a .312 on-base percentage, and a slugging percentage .305, which is 20th, 16th, and 29th in baseball.

However, as we have discussed, Lucroy is having the worst season in his career in his first full season in Texas. In 77 games, he has 68 hits, 15 doubles, four home runs, 27 RBIs, a .242 batting average, a .297 on-base percentage, a .338 slugging percentage, and an OPS+ of 67.

Defensively, he also has done the worst in his career as he has -11 Defensive Runs Saved and according to Baseball Prospectus’ pitch framing metrics, Lucroy is dead last in nearly every category.

Total, he is below replacement value as his WAR is -0.5.

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Lucroy in Coors Field

Most players hit very well in the hitters haven of Coors Field but Lucroy has not gotten the message. In 22 career games (17 of which are starts) at Coors, he has 17 hits in 70 at bats (which is a .243 batting average) with five doubles, one home run, a .299 on-base percentage, and a .357 slugging percentage (which is 29% worse than his career numbers).

Lucroy in the postseason

Lucroy played in the postseason in 2011 and 2016 and in 13 games, he has hit .205 (9-for-44) with only one double and one home run. In 2016, when the Rangers were swept in the ALDS by the Toronto Blue Jays, Lucroy went 1-for-12 with a single (an .083 batting average).

Next: Some Interesting Facts about Coors Field

Final Thoughts

Jonathan Lucroy has not performed well, offensively or defensively, in 2017 as his stats are worse than the current Rockies catchers. He has not played well in the playoffs. He has not played well at Coors Field. This makes me think: why are the Rockies working to get Lucroy?