The Indians are one of several teams looking to add a reliever prior to the Aug. 1 nonwaiver trade deadline to bolster the bullpen. They're now also connected to one of the game's best offensive catchers.
The Indians have engaged in discussions to acquire Milwaukee Brewers All-Star catcher Jonathan Lucroy, per ESPN's Buster Olney.
Lucroy, 30, is in the last year of a five-year contract with the rebuilding Brewers. A two-time All-Star, Lucroy is often among the better offensive catchers in baseball. This season he's hitting .305 with a .362 on-base percentage, 12 home runs, 16 doubles and 45 RBIs. Per FanGraphs, he has a weighted runs created plus (wRC-plus) of 123 in 2016 and a career mark of 111.
The Indians have struggled to receive any consistent offensive production from the catcher position this season. Yan Gomes, hitting .165, has struggled through the worst slump of his career and recently landed on the disabled list with a separated shoulder. He's expected to miss four to eight weeks.
Roberto Perez recently returned from the disabled list after he underwent surgery for a broken right thumb on May 6. He's handling the catching duties with Chris Gimenez, who has offered value with his work with Trevor Bauer but, like Gomes, has been quiet offensively.
Should the Indians acquire Lucroy, it would represent an aggressive move unlike those made prior to past trade deadlines, as he'll likely command a hefty price tag in free agency this upcoming offseason.
The Indians are also interested in acquiring a back-end reliever, and multiple Brewers relief pitchers _ among them Jeremy Jeffress and left-hander Will Smith _ have been reported to be available as well.
This season's trade deadline was moved back a day from its normal July 31 date so that players wouldn't be on the field for Sunday afternoon games with negotiations still ongoing.
