Astros Played the Trade Deadline Perfectly

LUCROY WOULD HAVE BEEN GREAT, BUT NOT FOR THAT PRICE

Apr 8, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Chase Anderson (57) talks to catcher Jonathan Lucroy (20) after getting Houston Astros left fielder Colby Rasmus (not pictured) to foul out to Lucroy in the fifth inning at Miller Park. Anderson pitched five scoreless innings to pick up the win as the Brewers beat the Astros 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

There’s not a team in the league that would say no to a catcher hitting .299/.359/.482 with 13 home runs. Depending on who you ask, Lucroy’s ability behind the plate is just as valuable as his bat, as StatCorner ranks him the eighth-best pitch-framing catcher (Jason Castro is fourth-best) in the MLB.

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When Gattis is catching, for comparison, he splits at .295/.333/.716 with 11 home runs. Castro, as previously noted, is far more reputable with his glove than his bat, but he splits at .214/.321/.376. Lucroy is a far more patient hitter at a position that does not come with lofty offensive expectations.

But given the price paid by Texas, the Astros absolutely had to hold back. Regardless of your source, Lewis Brinson and Luis Ortiz topped Rangers prospects lists behind the obvious Joey Gallo and Nomar Mazara. Take two of the Astros’ top five prospects and try and figure out who you’d like to give away for a year and a half of Lucroy.

Next: Why Trade When You Have the Third Best Farm System

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