ARLINGTON -- The Rangers have traded catcher Jonathan Lucroy to the Rockies in exchange for a player to be named, the club announced Sunday.
After receiving Lucroy in a trade with Milwaukee in 2016, the Rangers didn't get the production they expected from the catcher. He batted .276 with 11 homers and 31 RBIs in 47 games with them in 2016, but his production tailed off in 2017.
Lucroy's batting average dipped to .242, with four homers and 27 RBIs in 77 games. His defense, for which Lucroy had a reputation as being among the best in baseball, has declined as well, particularly his framing numbers.
"This is an opportunity for Robinson Chirinos and Brett Nicholas to play more, and for us to add young talent to the organization," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said in a club statement. "We wish Jonathan and his family well in Colorado and thank him for his work here with us."
The Rangers sent two highly regarded prospects to the Brewers for him: right-hander Luis Ortiz and outfielder Lewis Brinson, who has seen playing time in the Majors this season. Brinson is rated Milwaukee's No. 1 prospect by MLBPipeline.com, while Ortiz is ranked No. 3.
Lucroy, 31, is due to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. He is earning $5.25 million in the final year of his contract.