<\/p>\n
While acknowledging the difficulty of leaving his only pro organization, Lance McCullers Jr.\u00a0said he opted to waive his no-trade clause partly out\u00a0of his love for the franchise.<\/p>\n
Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
After 14 years in the Houston Astros<\/a> organization, Lance McCullers Jr. agreed to be traded Wednesday to the Milwaukee Brewers<\/a>, ending a tenure that included two World Series titles and some indelible October moments with the only professional franchise he has known.<\/p>\n For the Astros, the trade pared payroll ahead of the trade deadline and aided with roster flexibility. It also required approval from\u00a0McCullers, who could veto any trade due to having 10 years of MLB service time and the last five with the same team.<\/p>\n McCullers, in a phone interview Wednesday, said he never hoped to play elsewhere than with Houston, but he reached the decision this week with an understanding that a trade could benefit the Astros, as well as some optimism about a new opportunity.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n LANCE McCULLERS JR.: His most memorable moments with\u00a0Astros<\/a><\/p>\n On Monday, McCullers said, team owner Jim Crane spoke with him and asked if McCullers would be open to waiving his no-trade rights.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a really good conversation,\u201d McCullers said. \u201cBasically \u2026 he told me that (the Astros) thought a trade was the best option moving forward for the rest of the season, and if I would be willing to waive my no-trade clause. And so of course, out of the respect I have for Mr. Crane, I told him I would speak to my family and I would consider it.\u201d<\/p>\n McCullers, 32, said he discussed the possibility with his family, his father (former pitcher Lance McCullers), his agent and other people he considers \u201cmentors.\u201d Ultimately, he told Crane he would be willing to waive the no-trade rights.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u201cSince I\u2019ve been an Astro, since I was 18 years old, I never wanted to ever play for another organization or anything like that,\u201d McCullers said. \u201cBut I think everything kind of comes to a time where sometimes you have to move on. And I think this was just a situation where I can be proud of what I helped accomplish here and what I did here, but also understand the fact that it would put the team in a better situation if I did move on and possibly put me in a better situation for the rest of the season as well.<\/p>\n \u201cDidn\u2019t want to be that kind of veteran guy who has a no-trade and the organization\u2019s looking to potentially make moves and align themselves for their goals of the season and just tell them, \u2018Tough luck, I\u2019m not going anywhere.\u2019 So out of my love, I guess, for the organization and respect I have for Jim, I felt like waiving the no-trade and letting them seek an opportunity to trade me was the right move.\u201d<\/p>\n JADYN FIELDER: What to know about Astros’ return in trade<\/a><\/p>\n Drafted in 2012 by the Astros, McCullers developed into a part of their rotation and became a part of their postseason lore with outings during World Series runs in 2017 and \u201922. Injuries impacted his trajectory, also, resulting in two major arm surgeries and sidelining him for much of a five-year, $85 million extension<\/a> he signed in 2021.<\/p>\n McCullers, who is on the injured list rehabbing from a shoulder ailment, said the decision was \u201ctough. I always thought in my mind, if the situation ever arose, that I would say no. Having the full no-trade with the 10-and-5, and just having been here so long and so settled here, and my kids are here and (their) school and we\u2019re just so tied to the city, I just always felt like it would just be an immediate no.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a very hard decision, it wasn’t something that I initially wanted to do. But after I did tell him they could seek trade options, you find out Milwaukee\u2019s very interested in you, and you know how good a team they are, how good of a coaching staff they have on the pitching staff, and it makes you excited. It makes you excited for a new chapter, to experience new things.<\/p>\n \u201cSo there was a little bit of sadness potentially, the emotions mixed in originally, emotional decision. But I think it eventually became clear that it would be great for the Astros, it would be great for me as well. So you make your decisions and you live with them.\u201d<\/p>\n