Headlines

  • Red Sox Place Hunter Dobbins On 15-Day IL Due To ACL Tear
  • Astros Promote Brice Matthews
  • Red Sox Likely To Activate Alex Bregman Tomorrow
  • Phillies Reportedly Targeting Controllable Relievers
  • Yankees Prioritizing Pitching, Also Searching For Infield Help
  • Orioles Trade Bryan Baker To Rays
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2025 Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

NL Central Notes: Lucroy, Bruce, Schwarber, Pirates

By Mark Polishuk | March 24, 2016 at 8:48am CDT

Here’s the latest from around the NL Central…

  • The Brewers were talking with the Astros and Braves about a three-team trade involving Jonathan Lucroy last month, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reports.  Houston made an attempt at Lucroy earlier in the offseason, as previously reported by FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, and the club has also been linked to Braves center fielder Ender Inciarte.  This isn’t to say that Inciarte was also necessarily part of this three-team proposal, of course, as Atlanta’s role in the trade could’ve taken any number of forms.
  • Lucroy has been the subject of many trade rumors this winter, to the point that he and his family don’t have living arrangements in Milwaukee settled yet since he presumed he was going to be dealt.  “It’s all out of your control. But communication is a big thing. I’d like to be kept up to date what’s going on. It’s not like I’m going to spread it all around, I just want to know when it’s coming, when to expect it,” the longtime Brewers catcher said.
  • Also from Nightengale’s piece, he notes that the Reds were willing to pay roughly $8MM of Jay Bruce’s $12.5MM salary as part of the abandoned three-team trade that would’ve sent Bruce to the Blue Jays, Michael Saunders to the Angels and prospects to Cincinnati.  It was expected that the Reds would have to eat some money in any Bruce deal, given that the outfielder is coming off two consecutive subpar seasons.  Saunders is making $2.9MM in 2016, so adding Bruce would’ve cost Toronto around $1.6MM in extra salary (not counting the $1MM buyout of Bruce’s $13MM club option for 2017).
  • Like Lucroy, Bruce is also rather surprised to still be with his original team given all of the trade speculation.  He reiterated that he would prefer to stay with the Reds, and blames his recent “pretty poor” play for threatening his long-term future in Cincinnati.  (Though it could be argued that if Bruce had been hitting more, the Reds would’ve been able to move him sooner.)  “In order for me to have a chance to stay here, I need to play better.  We’ll see what happens.  I never changed my sentiment, wanting to be part of this for the long haul….But obviously, I have to do my part to even have a chance,” Bruce said.
  • Kyle Schwarber could be a personal catcher for Jason Hammel this season, CSN Chicago’s Patrick Mooney writes, as the Cubs are looking for ways to get Schwarber’s bat into the lineup whenever possible.  Schwarber’s defensive future has been the subject of much debate, as he’s scheduled to see most of his playing time in left field this year even though his fielding prowess is still a question mark.  It’s also unclear if Schwarber can handle being a regular catcher, though with Miguel Montero and David Ross ahead of him on Chicago’s catching depth chart, he could be eased into the position for just Hammel’s starts.  Being removed from too much grind behind the plate could actually benefit Schwarber, Mooney notes, by helping him stay healthy.
  • The Pirates hired James Harris as a special assistant to baseball operations in February, and Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review examines how the hiring is an example of how the Bucs are willing to look outside of baseball for ways to build their organization.  Harris specializes in fitness and nutrition techniques and he has spent much of his career in football, including the last decade working with Chip Kelly both at the University of Oregon and with the NFL’s Eagles.  Harris’ lack of baseball experience wasn’t a big factor for Pirates GM Neal Huntington, as the goal for any athlete is about “maximizing performance.  How do we help this player get better every day and perform as consistently as possible?“
Share 39 Retweet 10 Send via email0

Atlanta Braves Chicago Cubs Cincinnati Reds Houston Astros Milwaukee Brewers Pittsburgh Pirates Toronto Blue Jays Jay Bruce Jonathan Lucroy Kyle Schwarber

Alex Rodriguez May Retire After 2017
Main
Offseason In Review: Tampa Bay Rays
View Comments (18)
Post a Comment

18 Comments

  1. Ryan 45

    9 years ago

    I believe this is missing a word. 2nd bullet:

    “Lucroy has BEEN the subject of many trade rumors this winter”

    apologies for the criticism

    Reply
  2. Gogerty

    9 years ago

    Would be interesting to see how the Braves lined up in that trade. I know Lucroy is well talked about, but only one year left on his contract plus an option, I would hate to lose Inciarte for that.

    Braves seriously do need a Catcher of the future, wasted so many years on Bethancourt.

    Reply
    • Brixton

      9 years ago

      I’d imagine that the Astros would get Lucroy, and the Braves would get prospects.

      Reply
      • Philliesfan4life

        9 years ago

        I wish the three way trade went through for the angels, I have seen Saunders is healthy this spring

        Reply
        • RunDMC

          9 years ago

          What do the Angels have left to give?

          Reply
    • RunDMC

      9 years ago

      They have the money to spend on an extension – though the option is great – and I’m sure they would have probably received prospects, possibly from HOU’s deep farm system.

      Reply
      • Philliesfan4life

        9 years ago

        Do you think the Astros would go after Strasburg next year or is he bound for the yankees? I don’t see the nationals keeping him or Harper down the road.

        Reply
        • Gogerty

          9 years ago

          I could see St. Louis being in on Strasburg. Honestly do not see him in pinstripes. Harper on the other hand, I could see Harper, Judge, and Cespedes in pinstripes together.

          Reply
        • CrushCity

          9 years ago

          Not before they lock up Keuchel. Doubt them throwing money at a flame thrower with an injury history either way.

          Reply
        • RunDMC

          9 years ago

          I can’t see Strasburg in HOU. Seems out of character from them, though they’ll have some money to spend. Like another poster stated, I’d be shocked if they don’t extend some talent (Keuchel) before unloading on another arm. Thinking they can compete with the likes of NYY, freed from the shackles of Sabathia, is silly.

          Reply
  3. bigpapi4ever

    9 years ago

    Love David Ross, he’s a throwback hard nose player, one of my favorite Sox players in recent times

    Reply
    • bigmac4ever

      9 years ago

      Who do you like better, Ross, Varitek or Kelly Shoppach?

      Reply
  4. charles stevens

    9 years ago

    Bigpapi says “if you send us Correa and throw in Keuchel we will consider letting you have Vasquez”

    Seems fair enough.

    Reply
  5. baines03

    9 years ago

    While Hammel is probably easiest to catch (for Schwarber’s sake), Hammel is most in need of a catcher with framing ability. I think the pair could be a disaster.

    Reply
    • cosmo1

      9 years ago

      They’ve actually looked pretty strong together in ST so far.

      Reply
    • chesteraarthur

      9 years ago

      That would be Hendricks

      Reply
  6. thechiguy

    9 years ago

    I just wonder how Montero is going to feel about only starting 102 games while he watches Schwarber and Ross catch 60 games if he stays healthy all season. I would imagine that Montero is the ultimate professional and won’t complain. But I do think all players have pride and team leaders like Montero would simply want to be out there everyday. Ultimately, with 2 much better framing and defensively sound catchers in the minors, one of whom won the minor lg batting title, I think that Schwarber will eventually get all of his AB’s while playing the outfield. But I do like the idea of him catching Hammel.

    Reply
  7. thebare

    9 years ago

    Schwaber will always be a back up no offense meant but I see Montereo being traded next winter. To make room for another kid Wilson Contraras is that good and Ross retired don’t forget Caratin will back the other two . Plus Brockwell a longshot but will be in Iowa 2017 so much talent at catcher I forgot one who lighting up spring training this year Fewdicski not spelled right but good bat.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    Red Sox Place Hunter Dobbins On 15-Day IL Due To ACL Tear

    Astros Promote Brice Matthews

    Red Sox Likely To Activate Alex Bregman Tomorrow

    Phillies Reportedly Targeting Controllable Relievers

    Yankees Prioritizing Pitching, Also Searching For Infield Help

    Orioles Trade Bryan Baker To Rays

    Yankees Release DJ LeMahieu

    Trevor Williams To Undergo UCL Surgery

    Nationals Fire PBO Mike Rizzo, Manager Dave Martinez

    Brewers Activate Brandon Woodruff

    Clarke Schmidt Expected To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Bobby Jenks Passes Away

    Braves Release Alex Verdugo

    Top 40 Trade Candidates For The 2025 Deadline

    Rays Reinstate Ha-Seong Kim

    Yankees Have Shown Interest In Ryan McMahon

    Royals Interested In Bryan Reynolds

    Rangers Option Josh Jung

    Kevin Pillar Announces Retirement

    Braves Place Spencer Schwellenbach On IL With Elbow Fracture

    Recent

    Royals Receiving Interest In Catching Prospects

    J.C. Escarra Drawing Trade Attention

    Cristian Javier Begins Rehab Assignment

    Multiple Teams Showing Interest In DJ LeMahieu

    Rafael Devers Suffering From Disk Injury In Lower Back

    Mets’ Dedniel Nunez To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Trade Deadline Outlook: Seattle Mariners

    Reds Activate Jake Fraley, Option Christian Encarnacion-Strand

    Red Sox Place Hunter Dobbins On 15-Day IL Due To ACL Tear

    Cubs Select Brooks Kriske

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Sandy Alcantara Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Alex Bregman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android App Store Google Play

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version