Brewers agree to trade Jonathan Lucroy to Indians, pending his approval

The Milwaukee Brewers have reached an agreement to trade All-Star catcher Jonathan Lucroy to the Cleveland Indians, pending his approval, according to person with direct knowledge of the trade who told USA TODAY Sports.

The person asked to remain anonymous because the deal has not been announced.

In exchange, the Brewers would get minor league catcher Francisco Mejia and two other prospects.

The Indians were one of the eight teams on Lucroy's no-trade clause. But, the Indians are not only one of the best teams in the American League, they hold a 4.5 game lead over the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central.

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Lucroy, who spent his entire career with the Brewers since being drafted in 2007, becomes a free agent after the season. He has a friendly club option for 2017 at $5.25 million that likely would be exercised.

The two-time All-Star is batting .300 with 13 homers and 50 RBI.

Lucroy will give the Indians a big upgrade at the catcher position. Catchers Yan Gomes, Chris Gimenez and Roberto Perez have combined to hit .168 this season.

Before Saturday's game, the Brewers opted to bench Lucroy against the Pittsburgh Pirates, in which they won 5-3.

"(GM David Stearns) stopped down and said he's progressing on something," manager Craig Counsell said. "We just thought it best that (Lucroy) not be in the lineup today."

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