The Braves announced that catcher Jonathan Lucroy has been designated for assignment. The move opens up a roster spot for another veteran catcher in Stephen Vogt, who was acquired in a trade from the Diamondbacks.
Lucroy signed a minor league deal with Atlanta in May, and appeared in two games for the Braves after his contract was selected 10 days ago. In 23 total plate appearances with the Braves and Nationals this season, Lucroy has a .316/.409/.368 slash line, though it isn’t clear whether that small sample size might earn Lucroy a look with another team if the Braves do indeed part ways with the 35-year-old.
The former All-Star has appeared in eight total Major League games since the start of the 2020 season, and apart from a second-half outburst as a member of the Rockies in 2017, he hasn’t been an above-average hitter since the last of those All-Star campaigns in 2016. With catching depth always a scarcity around baseball, the odds are probably in favor of Lucroy landing elsewhere on another minor league deal, or a team could even claim him off DFA waiver or arrange a trade with Atlanta.
Lucroy is one of six different catchers who have suited up behind the plate for the Braves this season, as injuries (particularly to projected starter Travis d’Arnaud) have turned the catching position into a big weak spot for the team. D’Arnaud is expected to return at some point in August, while the combo of Vogt and Kevan Smith will hold the fort in the interim.
The life of a back-up catcher. Lots of DFA’s but also lots of job opportunities, His agent probably already has teams calling him.
Why….…. Why would we let go of him, but keep Kevan Smith, who is worse than putting a freaking pitcher up at the plate… I don’t understand.
Agreed – completely!
1pb 2wp in 18 innings.. Probably didn’t help.
New staff. You can’t blame him for that.
I don’t know the stats, but Smith is not significantly better behind the dish. I’d rather take the offensive production JL would definitely give over Smith rather than keep Smith who is debatably better behind the dish.
It’s simple. The Braves don’t want 2 catches that are unfamiliar with the pitching staff. For better or worse, they’re stuck with Kevan for now.
I mean, Smith is not that familiar with the staff. Lol. But I guess he’s more experienced with them than both JL and Vogt
How the mighty have fallen…
Went to college in Milwaukee and enjoyed watching him play for the Brewers… His decline had been unfortunate. Makes me wonder if he was juicing with Braun back in the day…
My question is why he declined a trade to the Indians in ‘16, but accepted one to Rangers. Went downhill after that.
Someone pointed out he’s close to a point in his career to getting benefits, etc and he’s just holding on to retire. If correct – his heart isn’t going to be in it. Extra difficult to excel as a catcher if your not all in I think
Benefits vestment starts on day 1 and maxes out at 10 years. He’s probably 90%+ vested now.
Lucroy’s defense is what gets him fired everywhere. I know some fans hate that but it’s a serious part of the game. When you are THIS BAD Defensively you can throw pitchers off their game. Fans & some GMs fall for a catcher with a nice/decent bat but the Manager simply doesn’t trust the guy with his pitching staff & rightfully so. Catchers fall apart all the time. It’s the nature of the position. So I wouldn’t jump 2 steroid accusations there. If he was an OF, MIF or on 1B, I might be suspicious. What happened to Lucroy’s bat is very normal for catchers tho. It looked like he might have his bat back too.
You are so stupid. Lucroy’s decline is related to his age. He’s 35 now dipstick.
Jonathan has never weighed over 200 pounds and has never bulked up. I’ve known Jonathan since he was a preteenager. He’s a hard nosed by the book kid. Wonder no more and don’t be so stupid.
What has led to decline is back injuries.
Always liked Lucroy, hope he gets another opportunity
I’m the opposite. Never liked him… But I’m also a bitter Indians fan that went to bed one Saturday evening in 2016 and was like hell yeah we just traded for Johnathan lucroy only to wake up and read her vetoed the trade.
He vetoed the trade because the Indians did not trade for him to be their starting catcher. This was on Cleveland, not JL.
Im on my way!
Don’t do it Rick! Lucroy would be a waste of at bat! LOL
I could see it. He had a great spring training with the Sox this year, and the pitchers said they loved throwing to him. And with Grandal on the shelf, a rookie now starting, and a guy just up from AAA who can’t hit a lick backing up, Lucroy is worth a shot.
Jonathan Lucroy back to the White Sox is a no-brainer considering his solid spring in Glendale, familiarity with the pitching staff, the injury to Yasmani Grandal and Tony La Russa’s preference for veterans in backup roles on the bench. The only thing keeping this from happening might be the addition of another veteran backup catcher in a pre-deadline trade.
I’m gonna have to block you. You Ole nemesis you
Sucks for Lucroy. Should have dumped Smith instead.
He must have been pretty sorry for them to jettison him so quickly.
I’m with the other commentary on this post. Lucroy had those super years in Mil and then downhill ever since. Was dude on the super meds? I thought being a catcher was wearing him down, but he’s still catching and not hittin DH somewhere! Head scratches
Everybody is forgetting he’s played all of 88 games since the end of his 2018. That season ended for him when some dude absolutely smoked him when he was blocking the plate as an Angel. It broke his face, knocked him unconscious and gave him a super concussion. He’s sucks on defensive too as has been noted.
He went downhill quick at age 31. Happens all the time. And fans are surprised every time. But it’s not unusual at all.
Finally a post that is spot on. It’s age not meds to the idiots who don’t understand baseball.
Fans are still adjusting to the non-steroid game. You know, where players aren’t putting up MVP seasons into their 40’s.
Of course, there are some catchers still playing very well into their late 30’s. Not naming names.
No wonder ATL is always looking up – I’m obviously missing something with this move. – Lucroy is superior in most every component including leadership..
Neither guy is ever going to catch everyday and Vogt has never been a everyday catcher- – and Lucroy is younger. and exhibits a better stick. Lol.
What you’re missing is easy to miss. Lucroy is not familiar with the pitching staff yet, and they don’t want to have 2 catchers who are unfamiliar with all the pitchers. I bet you that if D’Arnaud was coming back instead, they would have kept Lucroy instead Kevan.
Definitely should have kept Lucroy…I was so happy when they called him up… Smith?
SMH
Hop on him, Nats!
Hop on Pop
The Nationals had Jonathan Lucroy on their active roster to begin the season in April and then let him go once Yan Gomes and Alex Avila returned from their abbreviated stint’s on the COVID-19 IL. Both Nationals catchers are back on the IL but I’m guessing that Lucroy might pass after being DFA’d the first time.
I’d wager that Lucroy would rather take another shot with the White Sox if they come calling considering they are a virtual lock for the postseason and with their starting catcher Yasmani Grandal likely out of action until late August or early September. Lucroy would have a shot at platooning with young lefty hitting Zack Collins and a chance to be the team’s #3 catcher come late September and into the playoffs. If Lucroy wants a shot at a ring before he hangs it up for good, the White Sox might be his best and last shot for gold.
Maybe Lucroy wanted to be DFA’ed. Braves might have had no choice but to keep Smith.
Braves should have kept Suzuki over Flowers, then now they would have had Suzuki behind the plate, he may not throw too many out but he would have been far more productive with the bat given regular at bats than any of these guys.
Are the Braves moving pieces around to make a Big Trade? I think the Braves owe it to the fans to either shate or get off the pot and plan for 2022
No big moves. They’ll add small pieces hoping one will pay off. Joc is probably the biggest name they’ll get.
Braves making moves to try to win now, but not going big so that if these next couple of weeks against a tough schedule prove disastrous they can punt.
Think about it. Pederson and Vogt would likely get back as much or more than we just gave up to teams still left in the hunt in a couple of weeks. Plus, the tough decisions on Morton, Smyly, maybe Jackson and Smith are all made. Morton would be a very sought after piece and Smyly has been very solid as of late.