No offense, but you shouldn't be worth more than Lucroy
Andrew Miller, reliever/closer for the New York Yankees, just got traded to the Cleveland Indians for two of the Indians top 3 prospects (OF Clint Frazier and P Justus Sheffield) along with a third player. This is the same Indians team that just lost out on a trade for All-Star C Jonathan Lucroy, due to a no-trade clause. For Lucroy, they offered their #6 prospect, #12, #22 and a borderline major league reliever. No offense to Andrew Miller, but how are you worth more than Lucroy?
For one, there are numerous relievers and closers available, and only one top tier catcher. In that same sense, closers come and go like running backs in the NFL. Look at some dynamic guys a few years ago. Greg Holland from Kansas City, Drew Storen from Washington, John Axford from Milwaukee, Jason Grilli from Pittsburgh, Jim Johnson from Baltimore, and on and on. Craig Kimbrel was better as a Brave. Reverse that, and look at guys you never knew of a few years ago, like Andrew Miller, Jeremy Jeffress from Milwaukee, Tony Watson from Pittsburgh, Boone Logan from Colorado, Ken Giles from Houston, Roberto Osuna from Toronto. If you knew any of these guys three years ago, besides maybe Miller, stop lying. And you know what, some of these guys will be gone soon, and some may turn into Trevor Hoffman.
Catchers, meanwhile, the Yadier Molinas and Buster Poseys and, well, Jonathan Lucroys of the world don't come on trees and should be valued the same way as Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady in comparison. These talents with the consistency these guys put forth doesn't happen much, and you rarely get one on the open market. These guys not only hit well, but they help their pitchers pitch better too. It's why the Giants and Cardinals seem to be always relevant and why the Brewers aren't as God awful as they should be.
A catcher like Lucroy being available is rare, especially at his price, and I'm surprised that Cleveland offer truly was the best one available, and that the rest of baseball isn't stepping up. You got 22 hours, MLB. Go get him!
