Fact: Trading Lucroy Now Helps the Brewers Compete Sooner

Jonathan Lucroy has been a fan favorite for a few years now, both for his on-field success and down-to-earth, hard-working persona away from the spotlight. Despite his status as a top-5 catcher (at worst) in MLB, the Milwaukee Brewers' future may depend on Lucroy's departure...now.

As has been the case throughout the history of baseball, quality catchers are hard to find. Guys who bring you above-average offense and defense are even rarer, making Lucroy a potential hot commodity throughout the league.

It wouldn't be a popular move among the general fan base or the casual observers, but if we want the Brewers to return to legitimate contention as soon as possible, a Lucroy trade would be the move that speeds up the process and increases the chances of prolonged success.

Whatever the return for Lucroy, getting those young guys in the system, learning the franchise's philosophies, and playing together at the lower levels are beneficial in accelerating the process of a rebuild.

Keeping Lucroy longer than is necessary could delay things and even wind up hurting the Brewers.

Other than working with the pitchers, Lucroy's value to the Brewers is extremely limited at this point, at least in terms of winning games that "matter." Even the idea that he's a huge boost to the staff over another veteran catcher could be argued.

Milwaukee isn't planning on a playoff push for a few years, and with Lucroy's contract expiring after the 2017 season (if his option is exercised), it wouldn't be a smart move to sign him to an extension. He'll turn 30 in the middle of 2017, and catchers tend to decline quickly with age.

Thus, paying Lucroy market value at that point would be a foolish decision regardless. Just another reason GM David Stearns would be wise to push hard to find the right deal to get maximum value back for Luc.

A number of contending teams would be thrilled at the prospect of adding Lucroy's bat and receiving skills where they could gain an inside track to a 2016 and 2017 World Series run. Finding a trade partner with the young pieces Milwaukee wants could be the challenge.

Teams like the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, Washington Nationals and Minnesota Twins would stand to see increased production behind the dish, and each of them could have prospects that intrigue the Brewers' front office...if they're willing to actually let them go.

Some may argue Lucroy's value took a dive last season as he dealt with injuries and a slumping stick, but most personnel evaluators take a broader look at a player's production.

Since 2013, Lucroy owns the 3rd-best WAR in MLB (10.6), ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals' Yadier Molina and trailing only Russell Martin of the Toronto Blue Jays (12.5) and the San Francisco Giants' Buster Posey (16.2).

Luc can be found among the top 2-6 catchers in the league offensively in the last 3 seasons (minimum 750 plate appearances).

AVG - .284 (3rd)

OBP - .349 (4th)

SLG - .443 (6th) OPS - .792 (2nd) Runs - 183 (2nd)

RBI - 194 (6th)

And if you want to look at the advanced offensive statistics as well, he looks just as good. For example, wOBA (weighted on-base average) is a weighted metric to encompass overall value as a hitter. Lucroy has a .345 wOBA since 2013, 3rd-highest in MLB. Another metric to pay attention to would be wRC (weighted runs created), a way to measure offensive value by placing a "run total" on their ledger. Lucroy's wRC over the past 3 years is 224, the 2nd-best mark in baseball.

So you can see why the Brewers should still be getting top price should they act now to fill up some spots with high-ceiling youngsters who would be in a position to push the club into the future ala the Chicago Cubs. Considering Lucroy is due to make only $4 million next season and $5.25 million in 2017 if his option is exercised, a club would be getting one of the best players in baseball, at perhaps the toughest position, for an absolute steal.

But, of course, he should cost a fortune in terms of prospects.

Timing really is everything when it comes to swinging the best deal possible. Some believe you'll get the biggest and best assets in the offseason when teams have more time and options in terms of building their club.

Others argue the trade deadline nets you better value because those teams are in a "win-now" mode and more likely to part with high-end prospects knowing their proximity to the postseason with just a couple of months to play.

And that might be the only argument to a Lucroy trade before Spring Training - simply waiting on a move until midseason when he's built his value back up a bit, proving his bat and health are in top form.

The risk is that he gets injured again - especially near the deadline - or that he struggles to produce for one reason or another. Now the value is driven down, he's half-a-year closer to free agency, and there are more questions than answers that would cause GMs to hold onto their best prospects.

In general, I'm risk averse...so as much I as like Lucroy and his game, the window is now to trade the All-Star catcher and put the Brewers in the best position to add top talent and return to the postseason a bit sooner.

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