With questions behind the plate, the New York Mets have shown interest in free agent catcher Jonathan Lucroy,
According to MLB.com’s Jon Morosi, the New York Mets have had contact with free-agent catcher Jonathan Lucroy. New York has pursued the catcher for quite some time, going back to the 2016 non-waiver trade deadline, but he was traded to the Texas Rangers by the Milwaukee Brewers.
#Mets have had contact with free agent catcher Jonathan Lucroy, as mentioned in this story: https://t.co/IJwKNBlvsz @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 5, 2018
The Colorado Rockies and the World Series champion Houston Astros are the other teams that have shown interest in Lucroy. SNY’s Matthew Cerrone
Back in November, the Denver Post‘s Patrick Saunders reported that re-signing Lucroy was the team’s top priority, though he also noted that the veteran’s offseason home is near Houston and that he’s itching to win a World Series.
“Look, I’m a 31-year-old catcher, so I have to get going,” he told Saunders. “I want a ring, or two or three. And I think the opportunity is definitely (in Colorado) for that to happen.”
According to SNY’s Matthew Cerrone, “MLB insiders were predicting Lucroy would eventually sign a two-year deal with the Rockies, likely paying him around $10-12 million each season.”
While such a salary should be affordable for the Mets, the team seems more focused on adding to other parts of the roster. As Morosi reports, the Mets are interested in free agent third basemen Mike Moustakas Todd Frazier of the New York Yankees if their asking prices drop.
Moustakas and Frazier aren’t the only free-agents being pursued by the Mets. The Amazin’s are also in talks with the Pittsburgh Pirates about Andrew McCutchen. However, the Mets aren’t close to a deal.
It seems very unlikely that Lucroy, who hit .265 with six home runs and had 40 RBI last year, will sign with the Mets. He will most likely re-sign with the Rockies or go to Houston.