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Baltimore Orioles: Jonathan Lucroy would be a good fit

By Kristen Bentley

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 22: Ian Kinsler #3 of team United States celebrates his two-run home run in the third inning with teammates Jonathan Lucroy #25 and Adam Jones #10 while playing against team Puerto Rico during Game 3 of the Championship Round of the 2017 World Baseball Classic at Dodger Stadium on March 22, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 22: Ian Kinsler #3 of team United States celebrates his two-run home run in the third inning with teammates Jonathan Lucroy #25 and Adam Jones #10 while playing against team Puerto Rico during Game 3 of the Championship Round of the 2017 World Baseball Classic at Dodger Stadium on March 22, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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The Baltimore Orioles are in need of a veteran catcher and darn good one is still an unsigned free agent.

To platoon with Caleb Joseph, the Baltimore Orioles should sign Jonathan Lucroy, especially now that the Arizona Diamondback signed Alex Avila.

Even though there is a good chance that Chance Sisco could see time behind the dish, Lucroy would provide a much-needed veteran presence. He also has a consistent bat.

Lucroy is 31 years old and will be 32 in May. He’s played with the Milwaukee Brewers, Texas Rangers, and Colorado Rockies. He had a down year regarding his power in 2017, but historically, he’s got a good bat.  In 2016, he hit 24 home runs and had an All-Star season. But, in 2017, he hit six.

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Despite the low number of home runs in 2017, he did get on base. With the Rangers, he hit .242/.297/.338, but with the Rockies in the second half of the season he hit .310/.429/.437. Sometimes a guy just needs a change of scenery.

The right-handed hitter Lucroy was a popular player with the Brewers and the crowd would collectively shout “Looooouuuu” when his walk-up song came on. He played seven seasons up north and batted .284/.342/.436. In 2014, he was an All-Star and finished the season with a WAR of 6.7.

He’s a healthy eater and dedicated to his physical fitness. One of his latest Tweets included him working out with a balance board and a medicine ball. This is impressive.

In his last year with the Texas Rangers, Lucroy made $5.2 million. According to ESPN.com, Alex Avila will make $8.25 million over two years in his deal with the Diamondbacks. At the plate in 2017, Avila was much better with the Tigers, but his performance dropped when he was traded to the Chicago Cubs. If the Orioles decided to sign Lucroy, the team could probably get away with something close to his contract with the Rangers.

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Lucroy was also a member of the 2017 USA team in the World Baseball Classic. There, he played with Adam Jones. He may not be the best catcher in the league, but he certainly can hold his own. He can also DH when needed.

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