The Rangers are starting to make moves as the non-waiver trade deadline approaches.
Catcher Jonathan Lucroy is leaving Arlington for the Rocky Mountains after Texas and Colorado agreed to a deal Sunday night, sending the two-time All-Star to the Rockies for a player to be named later.
Lucroy is in the middle of a career worst offensive season, hitting .242 with four home runs, 27 RBI and a .635 OPS in 77 games this year. The Rangers felt comfortable enough with Robinson Chirinos and Brett Nicholas at the catching position to make the move. Texas also has Jose Trevino waiting in the wings in Double-A Frisco.
Lucroy has thrown out 13 of 44 would-be base stealers this year. He has caught a major league-most 159 runners trying to steal since 2011.
The Rockies were on the lookout for a veteran catcher to go along with a young pitching staff down the stretch. Colorado currently has a solid lead in the N.L. Wild Card race.
"Getting Jonathan gives us a guy with some veteran presence behind the plate just like Ryan Hanigan as our young starters go into uncharted territory in the next two months," Rockies manager Bud Black said. "His track record is pretty good. The guy's an All-Star. He's had success in the major leagues both offensively and defensively, so we should feel good about this one. To get this type of player, it's going to pick everybody up."
The Rangers acquired Lucroy in a trade deadline deal with the Milwaukee Brewers one year ago Sunday. He hit .276 with 11 homers, 31 RBI and an OPS of .885 in his 47 games at the end of last season with the Rangers, who won the AL West title.
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The 31-year old will be a free agent at the end of the season and is earning $5.25 million this year with $1.5 million remaining.
This could be the first of many potential moves for the Rangers as the club is rumored to be preparing to trade pitcher Yu Darvish. Starter Andrew Cashner, relievers Keone Kela and Jeremy Jeffress as well as pending free agent hitters Carlos Gomez and Mike Napoli are said to be available.
The MLB's non-waiver trade deadline is 3 p.m. Monday.
