Keith Law, ESPN Senior Writer 8y

Cost was high, but Lucroy a huge addition for Rangers

Acquired in a deal with the Brewers just before the deadline Monday, Jonathan Lucroy is a huge add for the Rangers, as Texas catchers have hit a composite .233/.287/.422 this year and none is the type of framer or game-caller that the former All-Star Lucroy is.

Lucroy is having a peak Lucroy season, hitting .299/.359/.482 and generating 2.6 rWAR and 2.8 fWAR so far this year while nailing a career-high 40 percent of opposing base stealers. His catcher-framing value has been down this season from its peak levels of 2013-14, though it seems hard to fathom that he's lost this skill. The Rangers could easily be four or five wins better next year as a result of his acquisition, and maybe two wins for the rest of this season.

The other piece the Rangers received in the trade, Jeremy Jeffress helps the Rangers' bullpen, which has had late-game issues this season. Though he's not a Proven Closerâ„¢, Jeffress is a control guy more so than someone who will miss the bats you'd expect given his big velocity.

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