Lucroy gets extension

[love_that_reefer]

The Milwaukee Brewers have signed catcher Jonathan Lucroy to a five-year contract with a club option for 2017.

The team announced the deal Tuesday.

The 25-year-old Lucroy batted .265 with 12 home runs in 136 games last year, his first full season in the major leagues. Brewers general manager Doug Melvin says Lucroy has "grasped the challenges" of playing catcher in the majors and the team projects him "to improve and become one of the better catchers in the league."

The Brewers posted a 3.63 ERA when Lucroy caught and went 68-46 when he started.

Milwaukee now has five homegrown core players under multiyear contracts. NL MVP Ryan Braun is signed through 2020, pitcher Yovani Gallardo and second baseman Rickie Weeks through 2014 and outfielder Corey Hart through 2013.

It will be $11 million if Lucroy does not qualify for Super Two arbitration status and $13 million if he does. The contract also carries a $5.25 million option for 2017 with a $250,000 buyout.

No free agent years were bought out but not a bad deal for the Brewers as it's just over $2 million per year. Lucroy did ok with the bat last season but his defense and game calling is his strongest asset. With no good catching prospects in their system, this was the right call.

[Hardy Blonde]

About time we get one that will hopefully stay!