Bob Nightengale

USA TODAY Sports

Just when the Cleveland Indians were getting ready to go for the kill in the American League Central - and perhaps the entire AL - after stunning the baseball world with the acquisition of New York Yankees closer Andrew Miller, Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy derailed the celebration.

Lucroy, who had the Indians on his non-trade list, vetoed the trade Sunday morning when the Indians would not only decline to provide financial incentives for him to accept the deal, but also would not guarantee that he would be their everyday catcher in 2017, a person with direct knowledge of the trade told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the talks.

"When you are dealing with life-changing, life-altering decisions like this, there are a lot of factors that come into play, mostly family," he said. "The other half of that is your future in this league and your career. There are a lot of different things to take in. Whenever those things don't line up, decisions have to be made that might be tough, but that's the way it has to be."

Lucroy, one of the most underpaid players in baseball, earns just $4.35 million this year and will make $5.25 million next year, then can become a free agent after the 2017 season.

Indians acquire Andrew Miller from Yankees

Yet, since they also have injured Yan Gomes under contract through 2019, the Indians plan to reinstall Gomes as their everyday catcher next year. Lucroy would have been the backup catcher, playing first base and DH, in essence, killing his free agent value.

Lucroy offered to accept the deal if the Indians would agree not to exercise his $5.25 million option, but the Indians rejected it.

The Indians now are left back at the drawing board trying to find a starting catcher. They had agreed on Saturday to send prized catching prospect Francisco Mejia, along with shortstop Yu-Cheng Chang, outfielder Greg Allen and reliever Shawn Armstrong to the Brewers for Lucroy. The catching trio of Gomes, who’s out for at least another month with a separated right shoulder, Roberto Perez and Chris Gimenez have combined to hit .167 with a .215 on-base percentage and .286 slugging percentage.

Lucroy, who made the All-Star team last month, is one of the finest offensive catchers in baseball. He’s hitting .300 with 13 homers and 50 RBI, including a .360 on-base percentage and .484 slugging percentage.

Gomes, the Indians' starting catcher for most of the past four seasons, is signed through 2019 with club options in 2020 and 2021.

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